We are the former Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Te Waipounamu.

Our work started in 2014 when the nine iwi of Te Waipounamu came together to  support whānau development.

Our proven approach aims to create social impact by investing directly in initiatives developed by whānau or community groups.

All our mahi has been centred on the philosophy that whānau must be placed at the centre of service design and delivery, supporting them to realise their own solutions.

In early 2025, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu was hailed an ‘exemplar of an organisation delivering public services that actually work’.

In March 2025, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu was advised that after 10 years of successful and proven commissioning activities, it no longer had the Government’s support. Instead, Whānau Ora commissioning would be dismantled and rebuilt from the ground up.

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STEP CHCH – X-treme Hip Hop

Exercising is not everyone’s favourite thing to do, but one class at STEP CHCH - Xtreme Hip Hop and you’ll be hooked.
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STEP CHCH – X-treme Hip Hop

Exercising is not everyone’s favourite thing to do, but one class at STEP CHCH - Xtreme Hip Hop and you’ll be hooked.
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Our final farewell – please join us

Please join us one final time as we celebrate and acknowledge all that whānau have achieved since 2014.
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South Island Kōtiro Māori Rugby League Development Days

Earlier this year, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu was proud to support the South Island Kōtiro Māori Rugby League Development Days through the rangatahi-focused RUIA direct investment fund.
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Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu an ‘exemplar of an organisation delivering public services that actually work’—new research

New independent research flies in the face of a recent decision by the Coalition Government to dump the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for the South Island.
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“[I was] selling poi on my mum’s Facebook page, since I wasn’t old enough for a Facebook page yet. It went way bigger than I ever thought and turned into a business.”

Georgia from Pōtiki Poi

Nā te pūtea tautoko

Watch these previously funded kaupapa