Kaitoko Whanau

Struggling South Auckland families may qualify for Kaitoko Whanau, one of three main initiatives within whanau ora.

Te Puni Kokiri has contracted the Manukau Urban Maori Authority (MUMA) to run the family help programme in south Auckland for three years.

Kaitoko Whanau Co-ordinator Albert Robertson says whanau have been referred to him by some of MUMA's existing services including  the Restorative Youth and Tikanga Maori probation services programmes.

He says the scope of family needs is so broad, success must be measured case by case.

"For some families, it's just about knowing where the problems lie. I go that one step further in suggesting a plan of action and pointing them in the right direction."

After the assessment and priority setting process, Mr Robertson can direct whanau to the appropriate service providers or agencies that can provide the right help.

"We'll work on the current priorities, then come back later on and see if there are any new priorities that need to be addressed. It depends on what each whanau requires.

"If they need a job, then I'll advocate on their behalf to an agency such as WINZ, and I'll let them know support is available from MUMA programmes as well, such as getting a driver's licence."

Mr Robertson previously ran the successful Dynamics of Whanaungatanga and Tikanga Maori programmes at Nga Whare Waatea Marae in Mangere, which showed offenders how they could use whanaungatanga or family values to turn their lives around.

"Some were saying if they'd known this a few years ago, their whole lives would have been different," Mr Robertson says.

"This year it's about helping families turn their lives around. Some might be easy, some might take a little more time. It's about real outcomes, not just asking questions and then leaving. That's really important."