The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, previously known as Te Pou Matakana, has lost its bid to continue commissioning Whānau Ora services, 1News understands.
The organisation, led by John Tamihere, has held the contract for the last decade and was responsible for distributing funds to service providers throughout the North Island.
Those providers offer a range of services that align with the Whānau Ora framework, including healthcare, education and addiction support.
The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency’s existing contract expires in June, and a new contract holder will be in place from July.
The organisation was blindsided last year when the Government announced it would need to re-tender for the contract. Several new bidders are understood to have applied.
The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency has partnerships with dozens of service providers.
Its failed bid to have the contract renewed is expected to affect 600 full-time employees within its network, although some partners may be picked up by the new commissioning agency.
1News has reached out to Te Puni Kōkiri for comment.
But the ministry’s website says the procurement process has been necessary to “strengthen the existing foundations and support the shift of Whānau Ora into a widespread public service delivery model, designed to improve outcomes”.
It wanted to provide “greater service reach across Aotearoa”.