Whānau Ora

Whānau Ora puts whānau and families at the centre of the services and support they need, to build on their strengths and achieve their aspirations.

Whānau Ora is delivered through a devolved commissioning framework. This means it is not government who makes decisions over which funding, programmes or initiatives whānau need. Te Puni Kōkiri administers Whānau Ora commissioning funding to the commissioning agencies in each region, on behalf of the Government. These agencies commission service providers and navigators to work with whānau to identify and access the services and support required to achieve their goals.

Commissioning was established formally in 2014, under the leadership of Dame Kahurangi Tariana Turia.

Te Pou Matakana, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu and Pasifika Futures were the original Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies from 2014 – 30 June 2025.

The following agencies have delivered the commissioning of services since 1 July 2025:

• Rangitāmiro, commissioning Whānau Ora services in the North Island, north of and including Taupō.
• Māhutonga, commissioning Whānau Ora services in the North Island, south and east of Taupō.
• Te Tauraki Limited, commissioning Whānau Ora services in the South Island.
• Tātou Collective, commissioning Whānau Ora services across Aotearoa New Zealand focussed on delivery methodologies that can deliver for Pacific peoples. 

Whānau Ora is a flagship example of devolved Government-enabled, locally led, and whānau-centred service delivery. The seven core outcomes whānau aspire to achieve through Whānau Ora are articulated in the Whānau Ora Outcomes Framework.

The Whānau Ora model has developed and matured over the last decade, providing a strong foundation from which to position Whānau Ora for the future. The Government seeks to strengthen the existing foundations and support the shift of Whānau Ora into a widespread public service delivery model. It will achieve this through the delivery of five key shifts.

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 (IDI) database
   • 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 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.