Media Release

Pānui Pāpāho

Embargoed to Midnight, Monday 30 June, 2014

New era for Whānau Ora

Whānau Ora enters a new era today with the launch of Te Pou Matakana, the Commissioning Agency for Te Ika a Māui (North Island).

Chaired by former Women’s Refuge CEO Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Te Pou Matakana is the next step of the Whānau Ora journey.

“Te Pou Matakana intends to be the fence at the top of the cliff through which our people will no longer be allowed to fall,” Merepeka said.

“We want innovative but real solutions to support successful whānau.”

The National Urban Maori Authority (NUMA) established Te Pou Matakana following a robust selection process. NUMA is the leading provider of Whānau Ora services in the North Island.

NUMA’s infrastructure, expertise and geographic reach placed it in the position to seamlessly establish Te Pou Matakana.

The commissioning approach was initiated by Whānau Ora Minister Tariana Turia, who wants funding, services and solutions moved closer to whānau.

Te Pou Matakana is one of three Commissioning Agencies launched today by the Minister.

“Te Pou Matakana will ensure solution focused funding is closer to whānau and delivered by Providers who can be innovative,” Minister Turia said.

“I was determined to improve the reach, capability and effectiveness of Whanau Ora by placing our faith in whanau and investing in solutions. Today signals the start of an exciting new era in Whanau Ora.”

Te Pou Matakana has an independent board of directors whose credentials range from corporate governance to managing high-profile social sector organisations.

Alongside Merepeka are economist and Arts Patron Suzanne Snively, former Fisheries Commission CEO Robin Hapi, Māori academic Dr Tania Rangiheuea and Iwi leader representative Pahia Turia.

Te Pou Matakana’s commissioning-for-results model will be of real – and in some cases immediate - benefit for whānau.

As well as an independent board, Te Pou Matakana will have the support of an Advisory Panel of sector specialists.

Te Pou Matakana has also attracted an operational leadership team in the provision of community-based wraparound care, including NUMA lead, Te Pou Matakana, John Tamihere, whose organisation Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust, has been at the forefront of Whānau Ora delivery.

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