Gráinne's update - October 2020
Published: October 2, 2020
Gráinne discusses the announcement of a cross-agency investment in a whānau-centred early intervention prototype, the signing of our sixth strategic partnership agreement, and what else has been happening over the past month.
Tēnā koutou katoa,
I hope you’re enjoying the longer days and nicer weather now we’re well into spring and daylight saving is here.
It’s hard to believe that we’re heading into the last quarter of 2020 already – and what a big and unusual year it has been!
I have been continually humbled by how Oranga Tamariki staff and caregivers, and those that work with us, have continued to support tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week, so it’s a good time to reflect on where you’re at and to check in on those around you. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to reach out for help if you’re struggling or you’re concerned about someone else.
Celebrating our young people
As we move towards the end of the year, it is important to look back and remember the positive difference we have all made by working together for our young people and their whānau.
I’m especially looking forward to the Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Awards in December. They’re a very special celebration acknowledging the amazing resilience and achievements of our rangatahi.
We’ve had a remarkable response to the awards by way of nominations, which have come from caregivers, social workers, friends, mentors, parents, partners and teachers from across the country.
It’s great to see the spread of support from all around the community. Thank you to everyone who put nominations forward.
Working together to make a difference
We had a great day on 17 September when representatives of Tūhoe Hauora, Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora, Te Pou Oranga O Whakatōhea and Te Tohu o te Ora o Ngāti Awa welcomed representatives of Oranga Tamariki onto the beautiful Mataatua Whare in Whakatane, for the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with the Eastern Bay of Plenty Iwi Provider Alliance.
The agreement, Te Pūtōrino ā Raukatauri, symbolises and reinforces for mana whenua of the Bay of Plenty the voice of their tīpuna signalling transformation, beauty and hope for the future. This is the sixth Strategic Partnership Agreement, and the first to be signed with a regional Māori organisation.
With this partnership, Oranga Tamariki embarks with the people of the alliance on a path to create significant change and transformation to improve the lives and outcomes of tamariki, whānau, hapū and Iwi of this rohe.
Last week, Minister Martin announced a combined investment of $42.2 million over two years in a whānau-centred early intervention prototype, named Ngā Tini Whetū.
The funding will see additional early support offered to 800 whānau across the North Island, to lift child and whānau wellbeing and resilience. It is the result of collaboration between Oranga Tamariki, Te Puni Kōkiri, ACC and the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency.
The prototype will seek to demonstrate how an early and intensive whānau ora approach can deliver a range of positive outcomes that will reduce the need for future government intervention.
We’ve shared aspirations to partner with Māori to enhance whānau resilience by offering early, holistic support for whānau to build the protective factors for child wellbeing. This initiative is designed to get intensive support to whānau before there’s a crisis.
Mā whero mā pango ka oti ai te mahi – when we work together the work gets done.