Families Commission well positioned to support whānau

The Families Commission is now well positioned to support whānau through research, engagement and social policy, says Families Commissioner Kim Workman.

Mr Workman, who is responsible for the Commission’s whānau project, was speaking at the launch of the Commission’s Whānau Strategy in Parliament this evening (5pm Thursday 22 April, 2010).

The Commission has developed a Whānau Strategy for 2009 – 2012 based on the principle that the wellbeing of individual Māori can be brought about by focussing on the collective wellbeing of whānau.

“It is strength based, and provides for whānau to define what it is that gives them strength, what makes them unique and what they need to do to develop their own resources and skills.”

“I believe building partnerships with iwi, hapu and whanau will ensure whānau wellbeing,” says Mr Workman.

“It will also help position us to listen carefully to whānau and reflect their views and experience within the social policy and research environment.”