Empowering Whānau: Enabling Communities Launches in Taumarunui

The Enabling Communities initiative by Oranga Tamariki was launched earlier this month in Taumarunui, signalling a significant investment in the wellbeing of whānau, tamariki and rangatahi across the rohe. 

Delivered in partnership with three iwi - – Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Hāua and Ngāti Maniapoto – and the Taumarunui Community Kōkiri Trust, the initiative reflects a strong commitment to iwi-led and community-driven solutions. As the Trust is a Provider of Whānau Ora, members of the Māhutonga team travelled to Taumaranui to tautoko the launch. 

First introduced in 2023, Enabling Communities is designed to shift decision-making and service delivery closer to communities, empowering iwi and local providers to determine how best to meet the needs of their own people.  

Taumarunui Community Kōkiri Trust Chief Executive Christine Brears said the initiative represented an important step forward for the region. 

 “This kaupapa is about transforming whānau, allowing them to dream the dream and aspire to achieve more. We are excited about working collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for whānau and we’re committed to building relationships with organisations and an awesome team who will see the intangible and do the impossible,” she said.  

Through this approach, providers are supported to co-design and deliver services that are grounded in tikanga and centred on the unique strengths and aspirations of their communities. The initiative spans the full continuum of care – from prevention and early support through to care, protection and youth justice – enabling more holistic, whānau-centred responses.  

Enabling Communities - prototype Director Frana Chase said the initiative demonstrates that shared responsibility is possible even when the issues and roles are complex.  

“Nō ngā mokopuna te take. The systems, despite the complexity, have been reshaped around tamariki. Safety is paramount with this kaupapa which brings tamariki closer to the community and their whakapapa,” said Frana. 

All three of the iwi Chairs voiced their assertion and aspirations for the partnership, with the Chairman of Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust Graeme Bell echoing the call to protect our tamariki from violence through partnership and Māori-led kaupapa: “Tamariki mokopuna are precious.”  

Enabling Communities also reflects a broader transformation within Oranga Tamariki, placing greater emphasis on partnership, rangatiratanga and the decentralisation of services, with iwi and community organisations taking a leading role in shaping outcomes for tamariki and their whānau.