Tracking Whānau Ora Outcomes July – December 2013

Key Results

Whānau engagement ​

• There has been a steady increase in the number of whānau engaged with Whānau Ora over the past three quarters. The greatest numbers of whānau engaged are in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Moana ā Toi regions.
• During the December 2013 quarter, 63% of whānau members engaged with provider collectives were Māori, 16% were Pacific, 7% were NZ European, and 14% were other ethnicities. There is considerable regional variation in the ethnicities of whānau engaged, ranging from 35% Māori in Te Waipounamu to 96% Māori in Te Moana ā Toi.
• Almost half of whānau are engaged with navigators, and one-third are implementing whānau plans.
• Whānau are also engaged with Whānau Ora through programmes initiated in response to their needs and through health, social and other services that have become whānau-centred.
• Most whānau are engaging with more than three types of services. Health services are the most common type of services that whānau are engaged with.

Whānau aspirations

• The most common aspirations for whānau were in health and disability. Education and training, and skills building were also common types of whānau goals. This is consistent with previous quarters.

Whānau achievement

• An average of 66% of whānau achieved one or more goal in each area. This overall progress is higher than during the September 2013 quarter, but lower than during the June 2013 quarter.
• Whānau are experiencing multiple improvements through planning. While some of these relate to socio-economic outcomes, many improvements relate more broadly to confidence, sense of wellbeing, connections and knowledge. These seem to pave the way for other improvements.
• Whānau experienced their single biggest improvements around education and training, healthy eating and exercise, increased motivation to improve their wellbeing, and knowledge of how to access services.
• Whānau seem to experience a greater number of improvements when there are 6- 10 whānau members engaged and when they are engaged with multiple types of services and programmes.

Whānau-centred service delivery

• Whānau planning and navigational approaches continue to support whānau working together to drive and improve their wellbeing.
• Whānau planning alone is not a determinant of whānau improvement. Other changes to service delivery appear essential, in order to better coordinate services for whānau, fill gaps around whānau-identified needs, make whānau feel comfortable, and focus holistically rather than on isolated issues for whānau. 
• Collectives are making changes in these areas through capability building activities, service innovation, workforce development, and collaboration. It appears that:

- specific courses and programmes based on whānau needs and aspirations, enable whānau to apply new knowledge and skills to improve their lifestyles and participate in society including te ao Māori;

- whānau are more able to access services that are localised, promoted in their community and joined up to provide a range of services in one location;

- collaboration amongst providers and agencies enable whānau to increase their understanding of services, awareness of issues and improve engagement with providers; and

- a skilled workforce premised on cultural competencies combined with technical expertise enables whānau to engage and respond more readily to services and support.