Latest news with #Tamihere
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
New Whānau Ora providers announced after major contract provider shake-up
North Island down to Taupō: National Hauora Coalition, Te Tiratū and Ngaa Pou Hauora o Taamaki Makaurau Consortium operating as Rangitāmiro. North Island, south of Taupō and east to Bay of Plenty and the East Coast: Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira. South Island: Te Tauraki Limited, a subsidiary of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Pasifika families across Aotearoa: The Cause Collective, operating as The Tātou Collective. Potaka said the new agencies would ensure the continuation of Whānau Ora support across the country, 'whether it's help accessing better healthcare, improving home budgeting to help ease the cost of living or getting on top of household maintenance'. Whānau Ora was created in 2010 by the National-led Government and under the leadership of the late Dame Tariana Turia, in recognition that social and health services were not delivering for Māori. The original commissioning agencies were set up in 2014. They were: Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency (formerly Te Pou Matakana) in the North Island, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu in the South Island and Pasifika Futures. At the time, Te Puni Kōkiri secretary for Māori development Dave Samuels said in a statement it was 'timely' that the contracts were put out to the market after 10 years. He also indicated a change in direction for Whānau Ora, including a greater focus on data-driven outcomes and more frontline delivery of services. Its $155m budget remained unchanged. Chairwoman of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, previously told the Herald she was 'absolutely gutted' to lose the contract. 'After 10 years of delivering to whānau in vulnerable communities, we couldn't believe the decision.' The providers which the agency worked with had built up trust within hard-to-reach communities for a decade, she said. The Herald previously reported an estimated 1000 jobs were at risk following the decision to award the contracts to new providers, although some of those workers could be rehired by newly chosen agencies. The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency challenged the loss of their contract in court, but Potaka said in a statement today that the bid was unsuccessful. He said the court action had 'wasted time and created uncertainty for whānau and service providers'. 'The delay means that the move to new commissioning agencies will be more complex than necessary but, with the court's decision now made, we can move forward with certainty.' Speaking to the Herald at the time of filing the court papers, Tamihere said the agency had 116 partners – 'the crème of Māori expertise, skill and capability throughout Te Ika-ā-Maui who are all interested parties'. 'On behalf of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, its board of directors and all of our partner network, we want to make it very clear that this is a process contesting a Crown agency, contesting this Government's approach to Māori and contesting Te Puni Kokiri.' Tamihere said the court action had nothing to do with damaging tender winners. 'If they become collateral damage in this regard, that is a matter for Te Puni Kokiri and its leadership to resolve.' Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said last month that he supported Te Puni Kōkiri's decision following its tendering process. 'It's entirely appropriate after 10 years that TPK makes an operational decision to change its commissioning agencies,' Luxon said. 'It's not about an individual commissioning agency, or frankly, John Tamihere, it's actually about making sure those agencies deliver.'
NZ Herald
22-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Pope Francis death: Local religious leaders pay tribute to late pontiff
She said her daughter asked her why she loved Pope Francis so much. 'I said: he cared about the poor and he cared about the Earth. He really saw people; he noticed children. He didn't need to be fancy and he stood up to bullies. He was the kind of person I want to be like.' Whitaker said Pope Francis' 'approach was simple, but never simplistic, and often it cost him personally. In his humility and authentic presence, he earned the genuine affection of many, both inside and outside the Catholic Church.' Reverend Frank Ritchie, a Newstalk ZB broadcaster and media chaplain, also shared his tribute to the late Pope and praised his respect for everyone. Ritchie leads the Wesleyan Methodist church Commoners in Hamilton. 'The care Pope Francis showed towards those often neglected by society has personally been both deeply challenging and encouraging to me.' Ritchie said Pope Francis was willing to speak his mind while still maintaining respect for those he disagreed with. Ritchie compared how Pope Francis conducted himself to that of other world leaders. 'He knew his limits; owning his own frailty as a human and seeking the prayers of others. This was in stark contrast to the bravado of some world leaders who seek to maintain their position through projecting images of power and threats. 'I have taken many lessons from his approach to the role he was called and elected for, and that he said yes to in the Conclave of March 2013. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.' The Most Reverend Dr Don Tamihere said Francis was an 'extraordinary Christian leader'. Tamihere is the Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in New Zealand and Polynesia. 'Those who were close to him [the Pope] knew how truly humble and compassionate he really was,' he said. Sir David Moxon, who served for a time in Rome as the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Holy See, formed a close friendship with Pope Francis while he was there, Tamihere said. 'David would often regale us with stories of Pope Francis' humility and compassion. 'I've heard too from other Māori leaders who were blessed enough to have met Pope Francis and how in awe they became of his humility and graciousness.' Tamihere said he met Pope Francis last year at the Vatican in April 2024 and shared a discussion for more than an hour. 'His [Francis's] opening words to us were 'Pray for me. This is a hard job.' Most of us chuckled because we understood in our own lesser ways what it must be like for him. 'I'll never forget how humble and gracious he was and how earnest he was in his encouragement to us.' Tamihere said the Christian Church is 'as imperfect and troubled and flawed and broken as any other historic movement may be, and probably even more so. But among the many, there are a few who actually come to embody the faith to which we all aspire. Pope Francis was one of those'. Reverend Craig Vernall said: 'Pope Francis warmed the hearts of many both inside and outside of the Catholic traditions.' Vernall is the Senior Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Tauranga and served as New Zealand Baptist national leader from 2011-2018. He is also a vice-president of the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation. 'I was always touched by how much Francis warmed the hearts of the Catholic community through his kindness and acknowledgement of hurting people. 'Pope Francis' historic acknowledgement of church abuse victims has begun the long walk back to where the church can once again become a safe place for all. His apology to the church's victims was a watershed moment.' Pope Francis has been celebrated for his response to the millions living on the margins, whether that be poverty, sexuality, migrants or our environment, Vernall said. 'Pope Francis surprised the world when he said that nations should not be criminalising homosexual activity. Again, Francis stood with those at the margins but also held his ground as a Christian moral leader.' 'We all have reason to mourn with the Catholic community for the passing of a Pope for our times.' Vernall said he hopes the next Pope will also 'have a heart of compassion and be found reaching out to our increasingly anxious world as celebrated spiritual leaders have always done'.
