15 May 2014

Urban Maori group will pay out $43m

8:18 am on 15 May 2014

The National Urban Maori Authority (NUMA), whose leadership made controversial sex abuse comments, will be in charge of giving out $43.2 million to Whanau Ora providers to help people in the North Island.

Te Manu Korihi has obtained the data under the Official Information Act.

The Ministry of Maori Development ordered NUMA to change its tender to address comments made by executives, Willie Jackson and John Tamihere about how they spoke to a young woman during a radio programme.

Concerns voiced

In April, the Whakaruruhau family services manager or tumuaki, Ruahine Albert, told Te Manu Korihi it was concerned about the organisation's application, saying people would think twice about going there.

Te Puni Kokiri said the authority's refined proposal included mitigation strategies for addressing potential barriers to people's engagement - as a result of the public statements which had been made.

NUMA's three year contract as a commissioning agency means it is responsible for investing in intervention projects such as services, programmes and activities which help whanau.

As part of the application process bidders were asked to develop a 90-day plan of what they would achieve as a potential agency.

They were required to provide examples of ways they would help whanau in the short, medium and long term.

The framework covered six concepts including ways in which to develop healthy lifestyles, how to get involved in their communities and feeling confident about participating in the Maori world.

Separate South Island agency

It required them to detail how current in-house programmes could be part of the 90-day plan, but also called for new ideas, which could start immediately.

Alongside NUMA, the government picked Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu, which includes Ngai Tahu and Ngati Koata as the South Island Agency.

And the agency to service Pacific communities is Pasifika Futures.

The Ministry of Maori Development - Te Puni Kokiri spent a total of $1.5 million on processing all bids for the three contracts.