6 Oct 2014

Whanau Ora providers sought

7:50 pm on 6 October 2014

The Whanau Ora commissioning agency for the North Island is looking to bring on new social welfare providers to help families.

Te Pou Matakana has set aside $6 million for the next three years to engage potential Whanau Ora partners including community groups, professionals, iwi and organisations from a range of sectors to deliver new services.

Board chair Merepeka Raukawa-Taite says besides the usual hauora providers that are critical to improving Maori health outcomes, it wants to encourage a variety of groups that will help it to achieve large-scale social change for whanau.

She says there is an opportunity to bring on other partners such as local schools, sports clubs and philanthropic organisations.

Ms Raukawa-Taite says it is about working smarter - especially when there are limited funds to go around.