10. Question No. 10—Whānau OraSORAYA PEKE-MASON (Labour) to the Minister for Whānau OraQuestion No. 10—Whānau Ora10. SORAYA PEKE-MASON (Labour) to the Minister for Whānau Ora: How has Whānau Ora responded to the communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle?Hon PEENI HENARE (Minister for Whānau Ora): Firstly I pay tribute to those who lost loved ones and all of the whānau affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and the recent weather events. There's something about a crisis that continues to bring our communities together and Whānau Ora certainly stood up to play their part. The Whānau Ora commissioning agencies have provided a range of supports through their network of partners to whānau including the support of over 10000 whānau members affected by the recent weather events; reprioritised over $3 million in support to access kai clean water medical support health support and temporary accommodation for displaced whānau; supported 800 displaced recognised seasonal employees—otherwise known as RSE workers—stood up communications support such as call centre for triage and communication and translation services; and through the Pacific Medical Association Medical Assistance Team offered 461 mental health checks and 235 GP medical checks have been completed; and they are also continuing to give vaccinations for measles and COVID-19 during this time. Whānau Ora is certainly playing their part.Soraya Peke-Mason: How was Whānau Ora able to support communities in response to these events so quickly?Hon PEENI HENARE: The Whānau Ora commissioning agencies as with COVID-19 were able to pivot their business-as-usual service provision and rapidly mobilise to surge support into affected communities. This included the movement of nearly 600 Whānau Ora workers into affected areas and into supporting those areas. This flexible infrastructure and relationship with communities on the ground is important to the agile nature of Whānau Ora and the way that they serve our communities.Soraya Peke-Mason: What feedback is the Minister hearing about Whānau Ora support on the ground?Hon PEENI HENARE: The Minister for Māori Development and I visited Te Matau-a-Māui and had a good chance to speak with the likes of Te Taiwhenua ki Heretaunga Whānau Ora providers and those who are doing the mahi on the ground. They acknowledge the value of Whānau Ora support and the support from this Government received and they also appreciated the flexible nature with which that support was provided during this time of crisis.Soraya Peke-Mason: What else is the Government doing to support Māori communities?Hon PEENI HENARE: Alongside the Minister for Māori Development and the Minister for Te Arawhiti a further $15 million was announced last week to accelerate the Māori response to Cyclone Gabrielle. The funding will support the continued coordination of services ensuring whānau are accessing their full and correct entitlements integrating Government supports to provide holistic responses to whānau needs and supporting their planning for future resilience. This includes but is not limited to access to funding for marae rebuild or clean-up papakāinga rebuild or clean-up and mental and physical health support as well as the holistic wraparound support. We should all be very proud of the work that Whānau Ora has done during this time.