Steven Gaskell: Whānau Ora- When “Family Wellbeing” Means Political Ads and Rugby Sponsorships

The long awaited independent review into Whānau Ora has finally dropped, and it makes for eye watering reading. For years, critics have whispered that Whānau Ora’s “by Māori, for Māori” funding model lacked the kind of accountability expected of public money. Well, the whispers are over. The review lays it out plainly: money that was meant to lift families out of poverty, improve health, and deliver frontline services was instead funnelled into political campaigns and professional rugby.

Te Pou Matakana, one of the commissioning agencies, thought it was a good idea to splash Whānau Ora funds on an advertising campaign urging Māori to sign up on the Māori roll. Now, forgive the cynicism, but that sounds an awful lot like taxpayer funded political campaigning. If any mainstream government department had done the same, we’d be talking about resignations, audits, and possibly police referrals. The review generously calls it “inappropriate use” of funds. Another way to put it: dangerously close to outright fraud.

Pasifika Futures, meanwhile, chipped in money that found its way into Moana Pasifika rugby. Yes, apparently a Super Rugby franchise now counts as a “community wellbeing initiative.” The money was dressed up as going through the Pasifika Medical Association for a “Community Sports Programme,” but the review rightly called out the blurred lines. Because in the real world, when taxpayers are promised healthcare, housing, and family support, they don’t expect to see their money underwriting rugby jerseys.

Now here’s the Gem : none of it has been labelled illegal. Instead, it has been boxed off as “poor governance” and “inconsistent with government outcomes.” Which is bureaucrat speak for: “We can’t quite prove it’s fraud, but it sure looks like it if you squint.” The problem here isn’t just the questionable spending decisions; it’s the lack of guardrails that allowed it to happen in the first place.

Whānau Ora has operated for years on the premise of trust. Agencies were handed millions in taxpayer dollars and told to go off and “innovate” solutions. Instead, we’ve seen how innovation can look a lot like political advertising and rugby sponsorship. The review recommends clearer rules, stricter funding agreements, and proper oversight. Frankly, that’s the bare minimum.

Accountability should go further. Agency boards who signed off on these spending decisions need to be held responsible. At the very least, the executives involved should be explaining themselves to taxpayers, not hiding behind carefully worded reviews. And what about the Ministers who allowed Whānau Ora to function with such weak oversight for so long? They can’t simply shrug and say “lessons have been learned.”

Because here’s the truth: when taxpayer money is spent outside its intended purpose, especially when it edges into political territory, it corrodes trust in the entire system. Every dollar spent on rugby or electoral roll advertising is a dollar not spent on a struggling family’s healthcare, housing, or education.

So yes, the Government must step in tighter control, stricter accountability, and less of the warm fuzzies about “community led solutions.” Otherwise Whānau Ora risks becoming not a social service, but a political and sporting slush fund. And the New Zealand taxpayer will keep paying for the privilege.

Steven is an entrepreneur and an ex RNZN diver who likes travelling, renovating houses, Swiss Watches, history, chocolate art and art deco.