CREATING SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL CHANGE Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is a Commissioning Entity that works on behalf of the iwi in the South Island to support and enable whānau to create sustained social impact. We do this by developing and investing in ideas and initiatives to improve outcomes for Māori, underpinned by whānau-centered principles and strategies; these include emergency preparedness and disaster recovery. Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu also invests in Navigator roles to support and build whānau capability. We work to respond to whānau innovation, to foster and grow inspirational ideas that are whānau-centered, intergenerational, locally driven and provide direct impact for whānau. Working alongside whānau to enable independent transformational change. We represent a legal partnership of Nga Iwi o Te Waipounamu, the nine iwi of the South Island: Ngāi Tahu; Ngāti Rarua; Ngāti Tama; Ngāti Kuia; Ngāti Koata, Rangitane o Wairau, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā To; Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Atiawa. This unique initiative is the first time, ever, that the iwi has come together for a common cause to trail blaze a new model that reflects the aspirations of ngā iwi as they relate to whānau. Our name represents the convergence of the rivers of Te Waipounamu, bringing sustenance to the people, and reflecting the partnership’s founding principle of whanaungatanga.