Whanau Ora Minister Tariana Turia says New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has not grasped what the new social welfare initiative is aiming to achieve.
She says Mr Peters has failed to understand the concept of Whanau Ora and the importance of transforming families' attitudes and behaviours to do what is best for themselves.
Mrs Turia says he misses the point completely, but she thinks it's pretty sad that Mr Peters continues to pick at a programme that has such huge potential for Maori and Pacific families.
Mrs Turia says Te Puni Kokiri, the Ministry of Maori Development, has told her the rugby club has met all the criteria in the Whanau Ora funding agreement.
Whanau Ora was set up to gives whanau hope and responsibility, by channelling support and welfare services through the extended family.
