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A 5-year plan for the New Zealand health and disability kaiāwhina workforce

The Kaiāwhina Workforce Plan is a living document that focuses on achieving the long term vision and continues to evolve and adapt in a dynamic environment.

The five priorities of the Plan are:

  1. Building cultural capability
  2. Connecting Kaiāwhina
  3. Accelerating new ways of working and eco-system thinking
  4. Creating workforce knowledge and data
  5. Supplying and developing the workforce

The Kaiāwhina Workforce Plan Programme Team coordinate and support the priority networks.

Consumer Focus

The Consumer Focus principles that were articulated at the onset of the implementation of the Kaiāwhina Workforce Action Plan continue to underpin the priorities for the 2020-2025 programme of work:

  • The relationship between Kaiāwhina and the consumer, family and whānau is based on trust and transparency.
  • Consumers are supported through systems that are enabling.
  • Services support consumers, family and whānau to develop self-management skills.
  • The Kaiāwhina workforce understands and recognises the impact of stigma and discrimination on the consumer(s) they work with, and their families and whānau, including self-stigma.

Diversity and the cultural values and beliefs of consumers and their family and whānau are respected.

Here is what Kaiāwhina Taskforce consumer member Gary Sutcliffe has to say about the importance of the way Kaiāwhina engage with consumers:

“The first of the Consumer Focus principles states: The relationship between Kaiāwhina and the consumer, family and whānau is based on trust and transparency.  The most important aspects of any relationship between someone – a kaiāwhina – and the person/people they are supporting or caring for are mutual trust, confidence, and communication. It is essential to the effectiveness of the support and of the relationship, that this is right, RIGHT FROM THE START. The first interaction, contact and engagement must be a positive and authentic experience. There are two expressions in te reo Māori that beautifully describe this relationship: manaakitanga and whanaungatanga. Adopting these values will ensure that the experience of both the kaiāwhina and of the person being supported or cared for, along with their family and whānau, will endure as a positive and affirming relationship.”

Gary Sutcliffe | Coordinator | Health Consumer Advisory Service NZ, Health Navigator Charitable Trust | Consumer Member Kaiāwhina Workforce Taskforce

Our sincere thanks to Gary for his insights and wisdom reflected in the words above.

Our Stories

Pact’s Greymouth Community Support worker, James Tainui helps support people to lead fulfilling lives in the community. “You see people change and grow and you see their mana enhance. That’s what inspires me, instilling that belief in people,” says James.

Once a successful Tongan rugby player with a career that took him to Japan and France, Isileli (Kai) Tupou is now following his other passion working with people with disabilities.

This amazing Tongan care worker is seizing opportunities to upskill and support her community. Uinita (Nita) Tapaatoutai is a hard worker and an inspiration to others.

Latest News

Congratulations to Cathy Cooney, Independent Facilitator of the Kaiāwhina Workforce Plan, who was made a member of the New Zealand order of merit in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Industry Training Organisation, Careerforce developed a campaign aimed at promoting career pathways in care and support, and attract greater workforce diversity.

The first and formative 5-year Kaiāwhina Workforce Action Plan 2015-2020 concluded in June 2020, having helped to build an enduring foundation for the future of the kaiāwhina workforce.

Get Involved

If you wish to participate in the Kaiāwhina workforce plan, please contact the Kaiāwhina Workforce Programme Team, please get in touch.