PĀNUI PĀPĀHO / MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 14 July 2021
Success of Mokopuna Ora provides blueprint for redesign of Well Child Tamariki Ora
Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu supports the findings of a recent review of Well Child Tamariki Ora, and welcomes the Government’s strong commitment to embedding meaningful partnerships with Māori into the governance, design, delivery and monitoring of the programme going forward. Pouārahi Helen Leahy says that such partnerships are crucial to ensuring the success of a service that has historically failed to meet the needs of tamariki Māori.
“We were unsurprised at the review’s findings around the effect that institutional and systemic racism in the health and disability system has had on the design and delivery of Well Child Tamariki Ora,” says Ms Leahy. “In this context, the review emphasised the value of partnership of Māori, to ensure the redesign leads to a wellbeing system that is based on te ao Māori values and principles of wellbeing for tamariki within the wider whānau environment.”
Mokopuna Ora is Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu’s answer to Well Child Tamariki Ora, providing wraparound services to whānau with tamariki under the age of five. The Whānau Ora commissioning agency has partnered with nine entities across Te Waipounamu to achieve the outcomes sought by Mokopuna Ora through the unique Whānau Ora lens.
“Rather than dictating the activities providers should undertake in order to achieve these outcomes, our partnerships have encouraged whānau to develop their own localised approaches,” says Ms Leahy. “Furthermore, the involvement of whānau in the design of these approaches is a key feature of the programme delivery.”
Annual results for Mokopuna Ora show outstanding outcomes, with whānau becoming self-managing and empowered leaders, and become stronger and more resilient. 84% of whānau involved in the programme have grown their skills and knowledge, 77% have noticed an increase in confidence, 100% say that take part has enhanced their whānau wellbeing and 98% say their tamariki are safe.
“The review of Well Child Tamariki Ora strongly suggests we need a system that understands kaupapa Māori and Pasifika concepts of health and wellbeing, which are rooted in whānau wellbeing and collective responsibility,” says Ms Leahy. “We absolutely echo the recommendations of one participant who advised strengthening and appropriately funding the Whānau Ora model – in this, the success of Mokopuna Ora speaks for itself.”
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Helen Leahy – 021 881 031
Anna Brankin – 021 190 2893
Background Information
Success factors identified in an evaluation of Mokopuna Ora in Te Waipounamu
• Interventions are driven by shared vision and values associated with Whānau Ora philosophy and a whānau-centred approach.
• They reflect whanaungatanga in practice, quality relationships built on foundations of trust and respect at all levels (between whānau and providers/kaimahi/support workers/clinicians – between integrated services within the provider and out to other community and health-based organisations).
• They are strengths-based, focussing on the strengths of the whānau and community as a collective to support individual (mokopuna, tamariki, mātua, tāua/pōua) and whānau wellness; acknowledging the effectiveness of a Whānau Ora approach.
• Local solutions are developed through a network of expertise (cultural, clinical, whānau, community and organisational) to determine the solutions that are appropriate for local whānau and the community.
• Solutions are grounded in a clear evidence-based model of practice or theory of improvement emanating from whānau voice.
• A culturally safe, credible, competent, connected, capable workforce and service provision is most effective when sustained and supported by appropriate funding.
• Providers are connected to local rūnanga or iwi enabling expression of localised mana motuhake for the care of their future generations.
• A whānau network of expertise, participates in purposeful co-design, and there are structured opportunities for whānau feedback.
• Integrated services ensuring a range of flexible services and support are available
Mokopuna Ora entities in Te Waipounamu
1. Kaikaiāwaro Charitable Trust, Nelson
2. Te Korowai Manaakitanga Trust, Nelson
3. Maataa Waka ki Te Tauihu Trust, Blenheim
4. WestReap Hokitika.
5. Nōku Te Ao, Christchurch
6. Arowhenua Whānau Services, Temuka
7. Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora, Dunedin
8. Aroha ki te Tamariki, Dunedin
9. Awarua Whānau Services, Bluff
