Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: TĀHUHU ORANGA
The Associate Minister for Housing (Homelessness) Hon Marama Davidson and Kahungunu Whānau Services (KWS) in partnership with Te Rūnanga o Te Atiawa launched Tāhuhu Orangaat Te Wharewaka o Pōneke on Tuesday, 18 May.
Tāhuhu Oranga is a kaupapa Māori collective impact initiative paving the way in Te Whanganui-A-Tara. The programme was developed by Kahungunu Whānau Services in partnership with Te Rūnanga o Te Atiawa. The establishment of this programme has been funded through the Whānau Ora Innovation Fund and supported through the Whānau Whanake Whānau Ora Collective.
Kahungunu Whānau Services is the backbone support to the cross-sector collective that includesTe Rūnanga o Te Atiawa, MBIE, Tū Ora PHO, Victoria University Wellington – Te Herenga Waka, Renters United, Grande Projects Solutions, and Hutt City Council. The establishment fund allows the partnership to work with up to 53 whānau. This initiative rejects quick-fix interventions that create further dependency by looking at the bigger picture and placing whānau in the centre of reaching their housing aspirations.
KWS Chief Executive Ali Hamlin-Paenga said “Tāhuhu Oranga is designed with self-determination at the forefront. It is a comprehensive programme that will support whānau through homelessness with the intention of achieving housing permanency”. She specified “It covers housing options, rights and responsibilities, living on a limited budget, looking after a property and managing relationships with landlords, right through to pathways to home ownership. By harnessing the potential of whānau – Tāhuhu Oranga will assist whānau to embark on a journey out of homelessness”.
This programme was initiated by challenges whānau face when they become homeless or are seeking housing permanency. “Tangata whenua being homeless or facing housing challenges on our own whenua is wrong” said Hon Marama Davidson. Māori led solutions that ensure housing permanency are critical to responding to and improving Māori housing security for whānau.
Ali Hamlin-Paenga believes “We must highlight positive solutions rather than constantly highlighting the negative behaviour so often associated to being homeless” Ali Hamlin-Paenga continues by stating “We must stop congratulating ourselves for initiatives such as giving out food bags and blankets to our whānau who live on the streets”. This is accepting the crisis we are facing as a country.
While announcing Tāhuhu Oranga Ali Hamlin-Paenga says “it is time we stop others from determining what success for Māori looks like. We are here to reignite the aspirations of Māori. We will lead the way to provide and create tailored solutions that cater for Māori by Māori not by others dictating and creating need amongst our people. So please kindly move aside as we have mahi to do”.
Representatives from the partnership between Hutt City Council, Kahungunu Whānau Services,Te Rūnanga o Te Atiawa, and Council-owned organisation, Urban Plus Limited. He Herenga Kura, He Herenga Tangata, He Herenga Whenua was launched in conjunction with MAIHI and endorsed by Hon Nanaia Mahuta, the partnership collectively have the goal of putting more people into housing permanency.
Tāhuhu Oranga Launch Video – https://youtu.be/faf3zVbaV4I
