STRICT 1630 EMBARGO - Leigh from TMK will also file some lines from iwi leaders
A new report into Whānau Ora paints a positive picture of the programme, but provides no hard data and does not evaluate the spending of the first $140 million.
Te Ururoa Flavell, the Minister responsible for the programme Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Whānau Ora was set up in 2010 as part of the confidence and supply agreement between the Māori Party and National.
The report, which surveyed almost 900 whānau representing about 5000 people, found more than half experienced improvements in accessing services, happiness, relationships and leadership.
But it did not touch on how the programme was funded and left out the controversial Whānau Innovation and Intergration Fund, which gave $20 million directly to whānau in its first four years.
The Auditor General this year criticised 31 percent of Whānau Ora funding being spent on administration, but the Minister responsible for Whānau Ora, Te Ururoa Flavell, said that had dropped to less than 15 percent.
The report also noted traditional tensions, competition and silos existed between services and providers, which inhibited collaboration.
Mr Flavell said the report showed whānau-centred approaches were improving the lives of tāngata whenua.
"The immediate gains for whānau include better access to services, increased motivation for change, improved parenting skills and the resultion of various crises that happen for whānau.
"Over the four year period, some longer term gains were also apparent, including greater participation in education, better housing, better nutrition and higher household incomes."
But Mr Flavell said there were also challenges for the programme.
"Whānau Ora has to be picked up in a far greater way by other ministries and ministers. The great thing is that we have the Whānau Ora Partnership Group, which is at least a desire on the part of the Crown to work with iwi and indeed our ministry to deliver those outcomes."
He said a measurement framework was being set up by iwi and the Government which would set priorities for future investments and research priorities.
