A new welfare system for Maori families could be given the green light as early as February, it was reported tonight.
It is a Maori Party initiative called Whanua Ora, or Well Family, and has been extensively discussed by MPs and ministers.
The concept is to have caseworkers guiding families through all their difficulties, with taxpayer funding given to Maori agencies to deliver the service.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett told reporters earlier this week: "It's really about integrated contracting, it's about pulling together health, education, housing, justice and social services."
TV3 News reported it had documents which showed the Government was close to a decision which could be taken at a cabinet meeting on February 1.
It said Whanau Ora would see millions of dollars set aside for a separate Maori welfare system and officials were advising Prime Minister John Key to appoint a Whanau Ora minister who would oversee the service and be responsible for the funding.
The documents showed an intention to set up six whanau Ora sites around the country by next year, with more locations added each year until 2013.
They said the concept could one day be broadened to include Pakeha families.
