Whānau Ora 2.0: the real problem isn’t the who, it’s the what

The evolution of Whānau Ora is often seen as a contest between providers, but the deeper issue is the erosion of its original institutional logic. This shift weakens the policy’s transformative potential and risks diminishing Indigenous-led approaches to entrenched social issues. As social investment becomes more influential, understanding and intentionally applying models of impact creation is vital. Whānau Ora’s foundation in self-determination and relational practice offers valuable lessons that could significantly enhance contemporary investment strategies, but only if its core logic is preserved and applied with fidelity.