Partnering with Eastern Bay of Plenty Iwi Provider Alliance for our tamariki

Te Pūkāea is phase one of the Agility Prototype, a partnership that aims to reduce the number of tamariki and whānau in the Eastern Bay of Plenty region who require involvement from Oranga Tamariki. 

Enid Ratahi-Pryor, Chief Executive Officer of Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa said, “The launch of Te Pūkāea contact centre today is further strengthening the partnership between Oranga Tamariki and Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa and Eastern Bay of Plenty Iwi Provider Alliance; a partnership created through the Enabling Communities programme.”

Enabling Communities is the centre piece for the decentralising of Oranga Tamariki functions into the community. Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa is the lead organisation for the Enabling Communities programme in the Eastern Bay of Plenty region.

Chief Executive Oranga Tamariki, Chappie Te Kani said “The core purpose of Oranga Tamariki is to care for and protect children, but Oranga Tamariki cannot achieve its purpose alone. I am so proud of the work we have done together, in partnership and I know it will make a real difference to the lives of the tamariki they need our help.”

“Te Pūkāea o te Waiora and the establishment of the community led contact centre builds on the existing foundations of a collaborative approach to intake and assessment of Reports of Concern. We want to make a step towards changing the way the Crown and the community work together to support tamariki and whānau wellbeing”, said Mrs Ratahi-Pryor.

With support from Oranga Tamariki to build capability and capacity in the community, Te Pūkāea o te Waiora will act as a waharoa or gateway for whānau. This waharoa will provide access to wider options for support from whānau, hapū, iwi and service providers in their community. By increasing access to a wider array of support options, this can increase whānau uptake of early intervention and prevention services, thereby reducing renotifications and the number of tamariki and whānau who require statutory intervention.   

Enid says, “Our moemoeā or vision for Te Pūkāea o te Waiora is to take a transformative journey towards the decentralisation of Oranga Tamariki functions into the community, leading to more resilient tamariki and whānau thriving outside the system. The partnership we have established with Oranga Tamariki has enabled us to start the journey together.”

Te Pūkaea o te Waiora contact centre in Whakatāne will receive all calls and emails relevant to the Eastern Bay of Plenty region, which will be re-routed from the Oranga Tamariki National Contact Centre. The centre will also receive direct calls from other local agencies such as Police and Te Whatu Ora, community and whānau. 

The Eastern Bay Iwi Provider Alliance is comprised of Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe Hauora, Te Pou Oranga O Whakatōhea Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora, and , working together to collaboratively offer services throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Established in 2017, the Eastern Bay Iwi Provider Alliance has evolved over time and trust has grown. The Alliance has partnered with Oranga Tamariki since August 2020 with the shared goal of creating better outcomes for tamariki and whānau.