Whānau Ora Taskforce
Whānau ora is the way forward to achieving a future where whānau determine what is in their best interests.
The Whānau Ora Taskforce is the group charged with finding a better way for the government to work beside Māori whānau.
The taskforce will develop a programme of action as to how whānau ora will be applied to government policy.
The new taskforce comprises of six members who are:
- Professor Mason Durie (chair)
- Rob Cooper
- Suzanne Snively
- Di Grennell
- Nancy Tuaine
- Linda Grennell
The specific job of the taskforce will be to develop a policy framework for a new method of government interaction with Māori service providers to meet the social service needs of whānau.
The taskforce is expected to report to Minister Tariana Turia, Associate Minister of Social Development early next year.
Profiles of the Whānau Ora Taskforce Members
Prof Mason Durie as Chair of the Taskforce. Prof Durie is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori) at Massey University (Palmerston North) and Professor of Māori Research and Development. A psychiatrist by training, Prof Durie is a contributor to national debate on a range of social policy issues including community, family, education and health. He has previously been a Commissioner on the Royal Commission on Social Policy (1986-1988) and a Families Commissioner. His particular expertise areas can be broadly described as Māori wellbeing, social policy and research.
Rob Cooper is the Chief Executive of the Ngāti Hine Health Trust, a Māori-owned provider of social services in Northland. He is an appointed member of the Auckland DHB and Chairperson of that Board’s Māori Health committee. He has had a long career in the health sector including designing developmental funding pathways for Māori health sector providers during his roles with the Northern RHA and the HFA. Rob is of Ngāti Hine Ngāpuhi descent. His particular expertise is in health issues.
Suzanne Snively is a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is an economist who specialises in government, financial services and governance advice to the private sector. Before becoming a partner, Suzanne served as a director on several Boards including the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Her particular expertise areas are machinery of government, funding models and governance.
Di Grennell is Executive Director of the Amokura Family Violence Prevention Consortium. Di is a member of the Domestic Violence Programmes Approvals Panel and the Second Māori Taskforce on Whānau Violence. Her particular expertise area is family violence prevention, including working with youth, programme development, provider training.
Nancy Tuaine of Te Atihaunui a Paparangi (Whanganui) is the manager of the Whanganui River Māori Trust Board and a member of Whanganui DHB. Her particular expertise is in health and social services.
Linda Grennell was until recently the National President of the Māori Women’s Welfare League. She currently works in the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service. Her particular expertise is in the welfare of women and children.
