Assurances the Government believes in Whanau Ora - and wants to see it grow

Prominent Maori leaders are seeking an urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing - concerned the holistic initiative is being under-funded and destroyed by stealth.

But Whanau Ora Minister Peeni Henare refutes that, saying funds will continue to increase.

He says none of the money will go back into Government agencies, it will all go to whanau who need it most.