The Five Key Shifts

Te Puni Kōkiri has identified five key shifts for the future of Whānau Ora which underpinned the procurement process. These shifts build on the original foundation of Whānau Ora to ensure the approach continues to deliver and evolve to meet the needs or whanau and communities.

Last updated: Rāpare, 16 Hōngongoi, 2026 | Thursday, 16 July 2026

The five key shifts are:

  1. Greater service reach across Aotearoa, New Zealand, particularly to populations most in need:
    • an updated regional funding allocation model, with increased funding to front-line delivery
    • a greater spread, reach and number of Navigator services.
  2. Strengthened evidence base, leading to broader adoption of Whānau Ora as a service delivery model:
    • de-identified Whānau Ora data will be linked to the Stats NZ Integrated Data Infrastructure
    • national consistency across impact and measurement frameworks.
  3. Data-driven investment planning:
    • introducing a data-driven approach to strategic and investment planning, with a focus on government targets and alignment with the emerging Social Investment Approach
    • an updated funding model will ensure resource is channelled to where it is needed most, based on Stats NZ deprivation index
    • the introduction of Investment Boards to better ensure localised representative input will drive investment decisions.
  4. Improved frontline workforce development and retention
    • Commissioning Agencies and service provider networks will develop and deliver regional workforce development plans, ensuring that Navigators can meet the diverse needs of communities
    • incentivising workforce remuneration is in line with pay equity guidance.
  5. Strengthened risk management processes
    • enhanced data accuracy, traceability and reporting will support the early identification of risks to ensure timely interventions for vulnerable whānau.

The seven core outcomes whānau aspire to achieve through Whānau Ora, as articulated in the Whānau Ora Outcomes Framework, remain fundamental to achieving whānau wellbeing.

The Whānau Ora procurement formally concluded in June 2025, and four new Commissioning Agencies started their contracts on 1 July 2025. 

Proactively released information and documentation regarding the procurement process can be found here.

If you have any further questions about the Whānau Ora procurement process, please email info@tpk.govt.nz.