Unique research project to improve wellbeing outcomes for whānau

At the launch of the Social Wellbeing Agency: Atawhai Tibble, Hon. Carmel Sepuloni, Dorothy Adams, Gael Surgenor and Prof. Richie Poulton.

Thanks to a unique research project between The Southern Initiative (TSI) and the Social Wellbeing Agency (SWA, formerly Social Investment Agency) social service providers and government agencies will now have a better understanding of how to improve the wellbeing of babies and their whānau.

A case study ‘Towards better social sector decision-making and practice: a social wellbeing approach’ was launched at the TSI offices by Minister of Social Development Carmel Sepuloni on February 20.

The case study outlines the Having a Baby in South Auckland (HABiSA) project that TSI and SWA delivered in partnership. The project weaved together significant longitudinal data, with vivid real-life experiences, and it helps form a picture about the stresses whānau experience on and around the birth of a child.

View the case study here.

"This case study is a clear example of the benefits of focusing on people and utilising data while partnering it with a lived experience - combining science, data and lived experience," the Minister said.

Along with the release of the case study, the Minister launched the newly named Social Wellbeing Agency. The Social Wellbeing Agency is designed to drive social policy through a wellbeing lens, provide insights to give better decision-making for our people, and bring together the social sector to work toward common goals.

Gael Surgenor, Director of The Southern Initiative, says the new approach being taken to towards social wellbeing is welcome.

“We have had a relationship with the Agency since its inception and we heartily welcome the strengths-based approach and emphasis on lived experience of whānau and wellbeing.

We have learnt over the past few years especially through our early years work the value of an approach that combines data and science with tikanga principles and the lived experience of the people most impacted. We have brought this approach into the Having a Baby in South Auckland project. We believe it is not possible to develop meaningful responses to the needs of whānau without their participation to understand what is really going on.”

As we have seen, strengthening the relationship between local and central government not only improves our effectiveness as public servants, but it also enables the voices of the unheard to be raised and acted on, which benefits us all as New Zealanders.” 

View the case study here.