22 Sep 2014

Govt approach to Whanau Ora flawed

5:22 am on 22 September 2014

The new MP for the Western Maori seat of Te Tai Hauauru says the Government's implementation of Whanau Ora has not proved effective.

Labour's Adrian Rurawhe agrees with the philosophy behind Whanau Ora.

But he said the retiring Maori Party MP Tariana Turia frequently spoke about the need to unbundle funding across a number of government departments, and that was yet to happen.

Adrian Rurawhe, new MP for Te Tai Hauauru.

Adrian Rurawhe, new MP for Te Tai Hauauru. Photo: RNZ / Laura Bootham

Mr Rurawhe, who won the seat previously held by Mrs Turia, said the programme was underfunded and needed to be reviewed.

He said most Whanau Ora providers still get their funding through District Health Boards and other government departments.

Mr Rurawhe said budget priorities about where the money should go were not clear - the Government had set up commissioning agents, but the agents had not said what their budget priorities were.

Nevertheless, he said it was important to acknowledge the contribution made by Mrs Turia to the development of Whanau Ora.