30 September 2011

Working together to strengthen communities

Hutt Valley community agencies have locked together to support the Whanau Ora programme in a bid to integrate resources.

The proposal follows a Hutt Valley whole of community Whanau Ora hui held at the Waiwhetu Marae today.

The Mayors of Upper and Lower Hutt, Wayne Guppy and Ray Wallace, police and senior representatives of agencies across the valley have agreed to support the move.

Mayor Wallace described the initiatives as enlightened and a powerful commitment to supporting members of the community in need.

“There are a lot good people doing good work which can be improved by working in a collaborative way,” he said.

Chief Executive te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui, Kara Puketapu, said combining resources is an effective pathway to improving, social, health and wellbeing within communities.

“Our communities are supported by agencies that are willing to help and the Hutt Valley community hui has demonstrated support for the concept of combining our resources,” he said. “It is time to ensure everyone, whether they be whanau or top government agencies, must start to talk together to work out a solution.”

Police National Manager – Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services, Superintendent Wallace Haumaha, told the hui that police were willing to support the collaborative process and to do whatever it takes to make it work.

The integrated Whanau Ora approach will involve existing Maori community resources and all other community agencies working in a coordinated way through the Whanau Ora hubs.

The Whanau Ora includes six groups each with their own governance structure working directly with families in need. Whanau Ora centres are located in Upper Hutt, Stokes Valley, Naenae, Waiwhetu/Hutt Central, and Wainuomata.

Priority areas include young mothers and babies, truancy, CYFS rate, crime, and partnerships across communities. Hutt City Council currently provides a broad range of community services, various programmes and other interventions that focus on communities. The council also supports delivery of programmes developed for the community by other non local government agencies.

Other projects mooted at the hui included the introduction of a coordinated whanau, police, CYFS, and education initiative.

The community hui has proposed combined governance structures that allow community programmes to connect with individuals and whanau through delivery of services where they are needed.

Mayor Wallace said the hui demonstrated a willingness by the community to work directly with whanau to provide support where it is needed.

“I am confident the coordinated approach will work well and enhance the existing services deliver by councils, police, community groups, government agencies and local service providers,” he said.

ENDS

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