Research
We use this research to help inform our decision-making processes. This research gives us information on the needs and wellbeing of older Māori, Māori descent population and examples of other similar commissioning and funding models.
E Tipu, E Rea – Ngā Tini Whetū – The Collateral Change For Reducing Child Poverty 2022
The Ngā Tini Whetū pilot undertaken by the Whānau Ora Commissoning Agency has at the heart lowering the curve of child poverty in Aotearoa. Ngā Tini Whetū was funded through cross-sectoral collaboration, involving government agencies, but implemented through a kaupapa Māori, whānau-centric, holistic approach. It aligns with the desired outcomes for whānau for ACC, Oranga Tamariki and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s (DPMC) child poverty strategies. This report outlines the need for all of us to come together and collaborate as one entity to effectively lower the disheartening statistics that exist in our communities, focussing on immediate and progressive results.
Herenga Tāngata – Whānau Ora Response to COVID-19 Delta and Omicron, Report 2 of 4 for the period covering August 2021 – March 2022
This second report of four, builds upon the first Herenga Waka Whānau Ora Response to COVID-19, a study that covered the emergence of COVID-19 as a global pandemic and looking to provide some understanding of how and why WOCA responded to what was then an unknown threat to Māori communities. This reporting period (August 2021 to March 2022) coincides with the emergence of the Delta variant within Aotearoa in August 2021 followed by the more transmissible Omicron variant in December 2021. In this report, we describe how WOCA and its partners responded to the emergence of both the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19. We draw attention to the collective efforts involving iwi, Māori communities and Māori health networks and the key innovations and initiatives that were undertaken to support the delivery of positive outcomes for Māori. This research was commissioned by WOCA with a view towards understanding the response to the Delta and Omicron variants and to provide a snapshot of what was achieved through this period.
This current study re-emphasises the value of Māori-led, whānau-centred and culturally informed initiatives and highlights the ability of WOCA and its partners to reorient their efforts to where the need is most compelling. Accordingly, core Māori values informed the ways in which WOCA and its networks interacted during this phase of the response and has provided an example of the inherent strengths of Māori communities when caring for and protecting others. The WOCA response resulted in a number of key innovations in how services were delivered to whānau. These innovations have the potential to profoundly transform service delivery within Aotearoa’s social and health sectors.
This report charts the efforts of WOCA in protecting and supporting whānau. Findings will support policy development and system change as well as cross-sectorial partnerships between Māori providers, hapū, iwi, and Government. While the emphasis is on WOCA’s efforts to protect Māori, we also want to draw attention to the fact that WOCA’s initiatives have also reached thousands of non-Māori in need.
The Whānau Ora Journal – Whānau Ora Voices, Special Edition
This special edition Whānau Ora Journal brings together the kōrero , trials, and triumphs of WOCA partners and whānau from across Te Ika-a-Māui in response to the arrival of COVID-19. Each account highlights the sheer determination, innovation, creativity, and unwavering fortitude of partners and whānau in seeking to protect and care for themselves and their communities, covering the period from March 2020 to June 2021.
You will read stories of amazing resilience, innovation and enterprise, inspirational leadership, rugged determination and unwavering belief in the collective capacity of whānau. You will read first-hand accounts of how the distinctive leadership and diverse talents of our iwi , hapū and communities have been activated to care for and to look after one another. Each story is aligned to the values or kaupapa that are most evident within each account. This form of categorising seeks to highlight and demonstrate the ways in which WOCA partners have given unbridled expression to the Whānau Orakaupapa..
Herenga Waka – WOCA COVID-19 Response Report
This Wai Research report provides a snapshot of our year-long study of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency’s (WOCA) COVID-19 response from the period March 2020 to June 2021. The focus being the strengths, challenges, and lessons that can be learnt from during this crucial time. This is important not only for those working within WOCA, but also other Māori-led organisations, alongside policy-makers and commissioners who are looking for new and innovative ways to support Māori communities.
The WOCA network repeatedly demonstrated their extraordinary capability and capacity to predict and respond to the needs of whānau. From establishing local warehouses for the distribution of kai and hygiene packs, local COVID-19 testing stations including mobile units, iwi checkpoints, plus numerous digital innovations including organisational specific contact and tracing apps, CBAC management tools, and warehouse management systems.
Key findings:
- The WOCA Collective have been highly effective in responding to the needs of Māori communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the establishment of 14 centres throughout the North Island who distributed 240,000 Whānau Ora Packs to 138,000 whānau (comprising around 400,000 individuals). In addition, WOCA partners have established over 40 mobile clinics and CBAC testing stations.
- There are a number of factors that contribute to the success of this COVID response. One is the strength of WOCA’s relationships with Māori communities, its agility and flexibility in responding to needs as they arise, and its commitment to data-driven decision-making.
- The Government streamlining its contracting processes to enable more effective and efficient delivery of services by WOCA and its partners
- WOCA partners need for increased funding and resources to enable them to attract and retain skilled staff and continue to grow their training and professional development capability, capacity, and infrastructure.
- More effective mechanisms for data sharing between Government, WOCA and their partners are needed in order to drive better commissioning and whānau outcomes.
Wai Research would like to thank WOCA for their feedback and assistance throughout the production of this report.
Whānau Survey 2018-2019
The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency (WOCA) commissions partners to improve the lives of whānau through the delivery of the Whānau Direct, Kaiārahi and Collective Impact Programmes. The Whānau Survey is an annual survey that measures whānau satisfaction, confidence and experience of WOCA programmes supported by kaiārahi.
Te Whare Āhuru Ki Ruapehu Housing Project and Whakakaha Whānau – Collective Impact Evaluations
Wai Research was contracted to conduct a process and outcome evaluation of two Collective Impact (CI) initiatives, namely Te Whare Āhuru Ki Ruapehu Housing Project and Whakakaha Whānau. This evaluation explores how well both sites have implemented their CI initiatives and the extent to which WOCA commissioned outcomes have been achieved as outlined in the WOCA Outcomes Assessment Framework.
Kaiārahi Work Programme: Creating Meaningful Services for Whānau
This report provides a rich and detailed understanding of the kaiārahi role and its contribution to whānau ora outcomes, as well as identifying key factors that impact on its effectiveness.
Kaumātuatanga – The Needs and Wellbeing of Older Māori
Aotearoa is experiencing unprecedented growth of its elderly population. By 2021 it is expected that one in eight māori will be aged 65 and over – a change from one in 33 in 2001. The ageing population is more diverse ethnically, socially and culturally than ever before.
To be prepared for this change it is important for us to know what this means for Kaumātua wellbeing, and what we as the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for the North Island need to consider for future policy and planning. By understanding Kaumātua needs and current use of Whānau Ora services helps inform us – and our Whānau Ora partners – what future requirements will be necessary to meet the need of this changing demographic.
Kaiārahi Outcomes Infographic 2017-2018
Kaiārahi is a Whānau Ora navigator service that engages and supports whānau to develop a plan, set goals and achieve their intended outcomes. This infographic shows data for each of the six contracted regions across the North Island: Te Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, Hauraki-Waikato, Waiariki, Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, and Te Tai Hauāuru.
Whānau Direct Infographic 2017-2018
Kaiārahi is a Whānau Ora navigator service that engages and supports whānau to develop a plan, set goals and achieve their intended outcomes. This infographic shows data for each of the six contracted regions across the North Island: Te Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, Hauraki-Waikato, Waiariki, Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, and Te Tai Hauāuru.
Kaiārahi Outcomes Report 2016-2017
This report analyses data for each of the six TPM contracted regions across the North Island: Te Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, Hauraki-Waikato, Waiariki, Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, and Te Tai Hauāuru.
Whānau Direct Outcomes Snapshot
The aim of this outcomes snapshot is to provide a brief summary of the immediate outcomes achieved by whānau who utilised the Whānau Direct programme over the first 12-month period (i.e. from 1st June 2015 to 31st May 2016) of its full programme implementation. This snapshot will describe immediate outcomes achieved at both the aggregate North Island level and within the six TPM regions (Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, Te Tai Hauāuru, Te Tai Tokerau, Hauraki-Waikato, Tāmaki Makaurau and Waiariki).
Locality Population Snapshot: West Auckland
A snapshot describing the demographics, socioeconomics and health status of the Waitākere population as reported by the 2013 Census.
Locality Population Snapshot: South Auckland
A snapshot describing the demographics, socioeconomics and health status of the South Auckland population as reported by the 2013 Census.
Māori Descent Population Profile Te Ika a Māui
This research document provides Te Pou Matakana (TPM) and other interested organisations with current information on the Māori descent population that will be useful to have on hand to help inform decision making processes.
It provides current baseline information on the Māori descent population split by North Island and South Island population and split by Māori electorate areas. This document will be utilised within TPM’s planning and commissioning processes to provide TPM’s Board with information to help aid decision making. This baseline data may also be used as proxy indicators to measure outcomes over time.
He Ara Hōu – Frameworks and practices of Māori Commissioning
This research document provides us with information on whether any other Māori organisation or any other indigenous peoples around the world have attempted to do what we are currently doing: commissioning by Māori for Māori.
It will guide the approach to Māori commissioning by identifying existing Māori commissioning/funder agencies and how kaupapa Māori epistemology and Whānau Ora goals are represented in established Māori funding agencies. The research also presents a snapshot of the literature around International indigenous examples of commissioning and funding models, which will enable us to contribute to the dialogue on culturally responsive and appropriate models.