Kaupapa (Project Purpose):

To strengthen Tainui Service Providers in the Māori Disability Sector through whanaungatanga, the sharing of information and working collaboratively together, to achieve the best outcome possible for whanau.

In May, members of the Manawanui Relationships team were invited to present to the Waikato Māori Disability Network Hui. The network consists of representatives from the various health services that support the wider Waikato/Bay of Plenty area such as Waikato DSL (Disability Support Link), Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ), EGL (Enabling Good Lives), Whaikaha (Ministry of Disabled People) and local iwi organisations.

This diverse group are responsible for supporting the Māori disabled community and as such, they meet monthly to discuss their issues, network and develop solutions to better serve their community. Manawanui had the privilege of informing the group on the benefits of Self-Directed funding for disabled people and how Manawanui are a leader in this area nationwide.

It was a great event, with a warm and enthusiastic welcome from a highly engaged group. Simon and Liam started with an introduction to Individualised Funding (IF) as a funding option available to all disabled New Zealanders, right through to how Manawanui hosts and supports a wide variety of self-directed services – ranging from payroll, through recruitment support and helping customers set personal budgets. The feedback was extremely positive with the group appreciating their new-found knowledge, which will allow them to support their communities to access funding that can make a huge difference to the lives of those living with disabilities.

Manawanui has a strong commitment to supporting our Māori communities better and ensuring our services respect and honour Māori culture as a committed treaty partner. We are very grateful for the opportunity to support disabled Māori in Waikato and the surrounding area, either as clients of Manawanui, or simply to help educate support groups on the various funding options available for their disabled whanau.

We welcome the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise with similar networks that exist in Aotearoa, for the benefit of Māori and indeed any ethnic or culture-based communities across the motu.

Nga mihi

Simon and Liam