Dave Samuels Scrutiny Exposes Whānau Ora Smear Campaign – te Pati Māori

At Māori Affairs Select Committee yesterday, Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Dave Samuels admitted the independent review found no misuse of funds by Whānau Ora commissioning agencies. Despite this, the Government had already torn up contracts and publicly damaged the reputations of Māori and Pasifika providers.

Te Pāti Māori co leader Debbie Ngarewa Packer says the evidence confirms what providers knew all along. The Government ran a political smear campaign and worried about the facts later.

Samuels repeated claims that Māori roll advertising “went too far,” even though the review confirms the spending sat within Whānau Ora rules. That narrative was used to justify dismantling a proven kaupapa and undermining community trust.

Ngarewa Packer says she has serious concerns about the rushed RFP process now underway. “It looks like political mischief, not fair procurement. You cannot destroy long standing commissioning relationships on baseless allegations, then run an RFP designed to favour government friendly providers. That is a political takeover.”

Whānau Ora’s record tells the real story. Hundreds of thousands of whānau supported, strong health, education and housing gains, and COVID 19 outreach that outperformed state services. Whānau Ora was not dismantled because it failed. It was dismantled because it succeeded.

Debbie Ngarewa Packer says:

“Dave Samuels’ evidence exposes the truth. There was no misuse, yet the Government still smeared providers, cancelled contracts and destabilised services. This was political sabotage, not accountability. They must apologise and restore this kaupapa now.”

Te Pāti Māori calls for:

1. A public apology to Te Pou Matakana and Pasifika Futures.
2. Immediate restoration of Whānau Ora funding and contracts.
3. A halt and reset of the current RFP process to remove political interference.
4. Full accountability from the Minister and officials who spread unproven allegations.

This was not an oversight. It was deliberate political damage. Whānau Ora must be restored and protected so whānau can continue receiving the support this Government has disrupted.