Thursday 27 August 2026
Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Charitable Trust (Te Puawaitanga) is celebrating a significant new partnership with the Social Investment Agency (SIA), marking the beginning of two innovative initiatives designed to strengthen outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau across Waitaha over the next four years.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing earlier, working differently, and supporting communities through integrated, outcomes-focused approaches.
The agreements include two complementary initiatives:
Together, these initiatives are expected to support more than 4,500 tamariki, rangatahi and whānau across Christchurch while creating opportunities to learn how government and communities can work together differently to achieve better long-term outcomes.
Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust Manahautū | Chief Executive Geoff Milner, said the partnership represents much more than new funding.
“For us, this is about the relationship that has developed with the Social Investment Agency and the confidence they’ve shown in kaupapa Māori approaches to improving outcomes for whānau.
These agreements create the opportunity to strengthen the services we already provide while also designing new ways of working that place whānau at the centre. That requires trust, collaboration, and a willingness to learn together.”
A key feature of the partnership is its emphasis on collaboration.
The Integrated First 2000 Days pathway brings together existing services into a more seamless experience for whānau, while He Pikinga Waiora has been co-designed by Te Puawaitanga and Purapura Whetū, combining the strengths of both organisations to establish a new integrated model of support.
The First 2000 Days Pathway provide whānau with a range of services to support tamariki.
Both initiatives are underpinned by a Social Outcomes Agreement focused on early investment, innovation, collaboration and measurable outcomes, reflecting a shared commitment between Te Puawaitanga and SIA to continually learn and improve over the life of the partnership.
Brendan Boyle, Acting Chief Executive and Secretary for Social Investment Agency, said the partnership demonstrates the intent of the Social Investment approach.
“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Te Puawaitanga to deliver these initiatives. These agreements reflect a shift towards smarter, more connected investment in children and families. By combining long-term funding with integrated services and local innovation, we’re creating the conditions for better outcomes and stronger communities.”
He Pikinga Waiora will support tamariki, rangatahi and whānau through a kaupapa-Māori model.
Speaking of the partnership, Mr Milner recognises that lasting change comes through long-term relationships rather than isolated programmes.
“The opportunity isn’t simply to deliver two initiatives”, he said. “It’s to demonstrate what is possible when government, communities and providers work together around shared outcomes, invest early, and build services around the aspirations of whānau rather than around contract boundaries.”
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ABOUT
Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust is a kaupapa Māori community trust providing a range of high impact health, education, social and community services. Established in 2005 by the Ōtautahi Branch of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, our services support whānau across the different stages of life.
Our vision is of safe, healthy and connected whānau securing positive futures for all generations. We are guided by our whakataukī:
