The Government is renewing its support for the evolving focus and ongoing implementation of the Whānau Ora approach. Three key commitments are outlined in a Relationship Accord negotiated between the National-led administration and the Māori Party:

• A specific annual Whānau Ora appropriation will be developed to improve the reach, capability and effectiveness of Whānau Ora.
• The Government and the Māori Party will actively work towards the establishment of a standalone commissioning agency over the next 12 months.
• Whānau Ora will increasingly bring a greater focus on addressing the issues of employment, housing and educational achievement as well as supporting the most vulnerable whānau, including those on low incomes.

Hon Tariana Turia, who has been reappointed as Minister for Whānau Ora, says these are important measures which they will closely focus on in their determination to improve the lives of all New Zealanders. "Whānau Ora is about enabling our families to dream the dream, to bring together the resources that can create their own opportunity to grow."

"It is not a soft option. Trusting people to find solutions for their own lives takes time – it is about dismantling the reliance that we have placed on providers and government departments to find new ways of believing in ourselves."