What is systems change?

The Healthy Families South Auckland team, based at The Southern Initiative, works to support the health and wellbeing of whānau living in South Auckland, and we do so by using the kaupapa of systems change.

Systems change is an approach that recognises how complex the world really is, and focuses on shifting the whole picture rather than merely tinkering with parts.

At Healthy Families South Auckland, we have adapted the systems change approach to be more centred on whānau aspirations and lived experiences. We work together with whānau to truly understand what systems around them are impacting their health and wellbeing and how, together, we can shift things like mental models and policies to being more supportive of their aspirations.