NUMA Whanau Ora Day – A celebration of whanau

Urban Maori leaders John Tamihere and Willie Jackson are calling whanau together to celebrate the success and roll out of Whanau Ora. The National Urban Maori Authority (NUMA) Whanau Ora Day is being held this Saturday April the 6th at Nga Whare Waatea Marae in Mangere.

Jackson says “contrary to some of the opinion out there Whanau Ora is proving to be an incredibly powerful and transformative force within our Maori communities”.

Jackson, CEO of the Manukau Urban Maori Authority, says his organisation, alongside others under the NUMA umbrella are working with thousands of families and are in the process of stepping up services significantly for 2013.

“Every day throughout the country, our staff are at the coal face, standing alongside whanau as they navigate the obstacles and barriers to the services and support that they are entitled to. This is the reality for our whanau that many commentators, like Winston Peters, conveniently overlook”.

Tamihere’s organisation, Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust, have been working with Whanau out west for more than 25 years.

He says: “It’s time mainstream got the message. Whanau Ora is here to stay. Many of the bureaucrats don’t like Whanau Ora because it shows up their inadequacies at dealing with our people. To them I say, get out of the way and give us a crack. We know our people and we know what works”.

NUMA CEO, Toa Faneva, says Whanau Ora is working well across all the urban Maori authorities. NUMA is the nation’s lead Whanau Ora provider and is being held up as an example of what can be achieved if families are placed at the centre of service design and delivery.

Faneva says service providers will be showcased and available to whanau and a free concert featuring some of the country’s finest talent is being held in support of the Kaupapa. There is a great line up of artists and we have something for everyone. Maoridom’s finest performers Moana and the Tribe, Che Fu and 2011 Homai Te Pakipaki winner Chad Chambers. Also featured will be Abbie-Leigh who was one of the stars of Homai Te Pakipaki in 2012. South Auckland’s best hip-hop acts will also turn out: Young Sid, Pieter T, Dei Hamo and DJ Poroufessor. Local kura will be supporting the day as well as a very special performance from international super star Spawnbreezie.

The highlight for NUMA will be a special korero from Whanau Ora minister, Tariana Turia, who will address the crowd at 1.00pm.

NUMA WHANAU ORA DAY – RAIN OR SHINE
10am to 5pm on 6th APRIL at NGA WHARE WAATEA MARAE (31 Calthorpe Close, Mangere)

ENDS

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