Left Further Behind - Child Poverty Action Group

Whānau Ora may well be able to effect such improvements, but previous experience suggests
that Whānau Ora-based intervention may not achieve a significant change in benefit reliance. As
discussed earlier, the unchanging, individualistic nature and structure of the social security system
may contribute to its ongoing presence in the lives of whānau regardless of the level of intervention.
While Whānau Ora may well succeed in assisting whānau to utilise their strengths and improve their
conditions, there will be no flexibility or cognisance taken of whānau-specific needs in the delivery of
income support or income replacement.
This chapter has no suggestions as to what sort of reform would be necessary to ensure that the
structure of social security can meet the needs of whānau as well as of individuals. There is no doubt
that social security is what stands between many whānau and utter destitution. What is needed is
a revisioning of our social security system, a fundamental review that the Welfare Working Group
abjectly failed to deliver. Until such change can be brought about it is unlikely that interventions such
as Whānau Ora can make much difference to the relative poverty levels experienced by whānau.
Whānau Ora may well make such poverty in the lives of Māori children more bearable and survivable,
a good outcome in itself, but perhaps all New Zealand children deserve better.
Recommendations:
• A true, fundamental review of the social security system that does not threaten the amount of
income support that is given to families in need, but seeks to identify ways to make the existing
system less individualistic and more responsive to whānau needs;
• This review needs to be carried out in true conjunction with Māori;
• That Whānau Ora providers give assistance and training in social security provisions to whānau
to ensure whānau are fully apprised of their entitlements.
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