The review results show strong and consistent evidence of positive short-term outcomes. Photo / 123RF
The review results show strong and consistent evidence of positive short-term outcomes. Photo / 123RF
When I became an MP, I promised myself that I wouldn’t forget why I am in the role and my duty to the communities I was raised in.
I left Northland, but it never left me.
Having served in both Opposition and in Government, I understand the important role ofpoliticians to speak truth to power, to hold them accountable. To hold me accountable.
That role also comes with a responsibility to do the hard work.
Last week Mariameno Kapa-Kingi wrote an opinion piece making some claims about an effective, government-funded whānau support programme called Family Start.
As a Government we undertook a review of Family Start to ensure that it was helping families.
The review results showed strong and consistent evidence of positive short-term outcomes, particularly in the first 2000 days of a child’s life and particularly for health, parenting capability, mental health and family safety.
While the funding of this will move to the Social Investment Agency, this will not affect families.
Kapa-Kingi’s claim that “contracts for Family Start are expiring this year, while the redesigned system is not expected until mid-2027. That leaves a dangerous gap” is incorrect.
It is the intention of Oranga Tamariki that we will extend all Family Start contracts transferring to the Social Investment Agency and currently expiring till mid-2028 to support a smooth transition.
Families who use these services will continue to be able to do so.
It is the role of an Opposition MP to seek the facts and to advocate for their community, but there is no risk to this service or to the wellbeing of families and an Opposition MP claiming otherwise is doing their community a disservice.
