Mana Whānau Evaluation (2025)

Written By Nadine Metzger

Project lead: Alex Woodley

The Mana Whānau programme is a transformative, in-home parenting support initiative designed to keep tamariki who are on the edge of care - or at risk of removal by Oranga Tamariki - safely within their whānau and communities. Inspired by evidence that tamariki thrive best in the care of their own whānau, the programme offers intensive, tailored support to reduce toxic stressors and build parenting capability

Current Evaluation

The evaluation is ongoing and continues to explore how Mana Whānau strengthens whānau wellbeing and prevents family separation. It uses a developmental evaluation approach, which means the process is adaptive, collaborative, and deeply embedded in the lived realities of whānau and kaimahi.

The evaluation draws on:

  • Interviews with whānau, kaimahi, and stakeholders

  • Reflections from Community of Practice meetings

  • Reviews of programme tools, templates, and internal documentation

  • Ongoing feedback loops through hui and shared platforms

Nadine Metzger
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