Ana Apatu: Inclusive path to better future

Ana Apatu.

The U-Turn Trust oversees a number of projects - mainly those suggested by our Flaxmere community. True community development, derived for the community by the community. Our community garden, funded by American money via Bostock's sale of their premium organic apples; Flaxmere Boxing Academy; celebrating heroes with our Flaxmere calendar; prisoner rehabilitation and the Tunu Tunu mobile barbecue are just a few.

In 2014 Te Pou Matakana, the Whanau Ora commissioning agency for the North Island, called for expressions of interest. From there, our local collective Takitimu Ora Whanau Ora was formed. U-Turn Trust is one of the partners of the collective.

We have identified young people not in employment, education or training as our collective's priority focus area to start with. Why? Hawke's Bay has a youthful population, particularly a youthful Maori population. As our community ages, our demographics change. It makes good sense for improving social well-being to be educated and in employment, and for our HB region it also makes economic sense for our community to be productive. We, the collective, felt there was already a lot happening in this space with young people, however much of this activity is happening in silos. The framework we are expected to adopt by Te Pou Matakana is collective impact. Put simply, creating partnerships and actively working together. If you are in a position to attend our workshop you will hear the phrase, "What can you contribute?" Personally, I am finding this experience rewarding.

We are fortunate to have Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga as our backbone structure, providing the administration support to collate reports so we can track progress.

This week members of Takitimu Ora attend the Te Pou Matakana regional Whanau Ora conference. The theme is "measuring what matters". Of course we must provide accountability with all government funding. Whanau Ora is one of the most audited government policy programmes.

Our collective provides data and reporting while at the same time I listen to the skeptics discuss how much funding is swallowed up with administration. One cannot go without the other. Our leaders, including Te Pou Matakana chairwoman Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, describe how millions of dollars of government funding has been spent with no or little accountability, and how policy in some instances has actually harmed our families.

Minister Bill English reassures us that eventually all government departments will come under the same scrutiny. John Tamihere, CEO of Te Pou Matakana, reminds us that constitutionally we have a right to this way of working: whanau plans based on self-design and self-determination.

Mr English pays tribute to Dame Tariana Turia as the mother of Whanau Ora - for having the energy to drive Whanau Ora, originally perceived by many as a "hopeless cause".

Despite the skeptics, Mr English is pleased with what he sees. Whanau Ora is apparently challenging the rest of the system. Mr English admits the system needs to change to adopt the way in which Whanau Ora is working.

Our families' views on what they see as being successful matters, rather than just being grateful recipients. Co-investment with whanau and communities is a new way of working. Mr English admits the Government is not good at this, however iwi and businesses are. A broadening of approach, such as social enterprise models, will create a more positive future.

Being relentless around whanau aspirations takes energy and commitment. So as we reflect on challenges at the conference, we are also reminded that the politicians will go with Whanau Ora if our families continue to be advocates. Until we free up resources, particularly for those families that need support the most, we will not change lives.

- Ana Apatu is CEO of the U-Turn Trust, based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere.