A former Maori Affairs deputy secretary says the Government could be setting up its Whanau Ora service delivery model to fail.
Neville Baker told Waatea News the problems identified by the Whanau Ora taskforce are the same as those in the 1986 Puao Te Ata Tu report on social welfare.
Mr Baker, who chairs Waiwhetu Marae-based Maori service provider Te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui, says an opportunity was missed then because Government officials pushed back against recommendations to devolve service delivery to the Maori community.
"I'm reminded of the fact that it became part of the Government's planning to deliver to Maori, rather than the ability of the Crown to say to Maori you lead this and we will resource you to make it all happen," Mr Baker says.
He believes Whanau Ora leaves too much control with the central government agencies.
