Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare
COVID-19 Response Report
Whānau Ora Minister, Peeni Henare, unveiled the COVID-19 Response Report & Case Study, the first of three COVID reports produced by Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency this morning at Whānau Ora head office in Henderson.
The COVID-19 Response Report provides a snapshot of a year-long study into the Whānau Ora response to COVID from March 2020 to June 2021.Minister Henare addressed the content of the report.
“I think we are yet to realise the full impact of COVID-19 on our people. So, in order for us to take stock and make sure we make the right decisions moving forward, I acknowledge the work that has gone into this piece of research. It highlights the inequities our people had to face, and continue to face. And I think of the mental wellbeing challenge of all of our people and I believe the full impact won’t be apparent for some time”.
Whānau Ora Chair, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, noted two main points that stood out to her.
“What resonated with me is the amount of trust our Whānau Ora providers have in their communities in which they live and work. There is such a reservoir of trust there that they were able to call on and keep with them and use to guide them over that first 12 months. That cannot be underestimated, trust is everything. The other noticeable factor in the report is the new relationships that started during that time, with NZ Police, the NZ Fire Service, the DHB’s, emergency services – they were vital in our ability to set up the services and response that was necessary. We don’t work in isolation and now we have these new partnerships that strengthen what we can provide to our communities”.
Director of Research, Hector Kaiwai, has led the team of academics and writers.
“We have been fortunate to enlist the services of the very best writers, journalists and leading academics like Professor Meihana Durie to conscientiously put this trilogy of journals together. We have encapsulated the Whānau Ora response to COVID in words and photos all over the motu and through a variety of experiences across all levels”.
All three reports will eventually be consolidated in a series providing a comprehensive Whānau Ora COVID-19 Response story. CEO John Tamihere looks forward to ongoing support from the Government. “These reports are very comprehensive and also part of our commitment to being open and transparent about our work. What was also highlighted was our need for increased funding and resources to enable us to attract and retain skilled staff and continue to grow their training and professional development, capability, capacity and infrastructure. That allows us to remain affective with our to Māori by Māori for Māori approach”.