Abstract
Recent contract changes for Whānau Ora risk undermining one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most effective programmes for child health equity. Whānau Ora’s success lies in its long-term, relationship-based approach which improves social and health outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children.
While the NZ Government aims to localise services, new commissioning risks losing established relationships. Research we have recently published has found that frequent engagement, culturally embedded care, and flexible, long-term funding are crucial.