"Whanau Ora can't do it alone and these decisions should have been made before Budget 2015 … releasing the report after funding decisions have been made makes no sense when they could've used evidence to inform better policy," she said today.
"Labour would promote a whole of Government approach to provide more effective implementation of policies that improve wellbeing outcomes for Maori and all New Zealanders."
Her comments came after new research on Whanau Ora was released yesterday, which claimed a family-centred approach to delivering key social services has short and long-term benefits.
Apparent links between seemingly unrelated outcomes were also noted - for example, some people who increased their knowledge of their whakapapa (genealogy) had a reduced rate in smoking.
However, service providers have complained that they do not get enough funding for the workload that a family-approach entails, and unhelpful rivalry and competition exists between some.
The Maori Party's flagship Whanau Ora policy was established in 2010 as a holistic approach to providing health and social services to families under stress with the aim of helping them to take control of their lives.
