Karen Chhour

Last updated

New Zealand Parliament
Karen Chhour
MP
Karen Chhour (crop).jpg
Chhour in 2023
4th Minister for Children
Assumed office
27 November 2023
YearsTermElectorateListParty
2020 2023 53rd List 7 ACT
2023 present 54th List6 ACT

First term, 20202023

In the 2020 general election, Chhour was placed seventh on the ACT party list and ran for the electorate of Upper Harbour. [6] Chhour came fourth in Upper Harbour. [8] However, ACT won 8% of the party vote, which entitled it to 10 MPs including Chhour. [9] [10] In her first term, Chhour was ACT's spokesperson for social development, children, and child poverty reduction. [11]

In early December 2021, Chhour criticised the Labour Government's plans to introduce legislation under its Smokefree 2025 programme that would ban anyone under the age of 14 from legally purchasing tobacco for the rest of their lives. Older generations will only be permitted to buy tobacco products with very low-levels of nicotine while fewer shops will be allowed to sell tobacco products. Chhour argued that prohibition was unworkable and that the new law would create a black market for tobacco products. [12]

On 28 September 2022, Chhour in her capacity as ACT's children spokesperson questioned the Minister of Children Kelvin Davis about the relationship between Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children) and the Māori group Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust, which was being investigated for financing Māori Party candidate John Tamihere's campaign during the 2020 New Zealand general election. In response, Davis had made a statement telling Chhour to "enter the Māori world and stop looking at the world through a "vanilla lens." Chhour, who is Māori, was offended by his remarks, stating that Davis had taken away her mana. In response, ACT Party leader David Seymour described Davis' comments as "nasty" and "totally racist." [13] The following day, Davis contacted Chhour and apologised for his remarks. Chhour accepted his apology. That same week, Chhour had introduced a member's bill that proposed repealing Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, which requires Oranga Tamariki's chief executive to recognise and commit to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. [3]

Second term, 2023present

Chhour stood for re-election at the 2023 general election. She finished fourth in the Upper Harbour electorate but was returned for a second term as a list MP. [14] [15]

In late November 2023, Chhour assumed the positions of Minister for Children and Minister for the prevention of Family and Sexual Violence in the Sixth National Government. [16]

On 30 November 2023 Chhour, as Children's Minister, defended the Government's plans to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, which requires Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children) to ensure that Māori babies who are uplifted from unsafe homes remain in the care of their wider family (whānau). She argued that focusing on race detracted from the ministry's primary focus of protecting "at-risk" children. [17]

In early March 2024 Chhour announced that Government would be launching a pilot Youth Offender Military Academy in mid 2024, which would target serious youth offenders. The pilot boot camp would be run by Oranga Tamariki and have a rehabilitative and trauma-informed care approach as well as a military component [18] [19] The Government's boot camp programme was criticised by Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, IHC director of advocacy Tania Thomas, Professor Joanna Kidman, Auckland youth development worker Aaron Hendry and human rights law firm Cooper Legal, who argued that boot camps did not address the causes of crime and would have an adverse impact on disadvantaged children and young people, particularly Māori and the intellectually disabled. [20] [21] In response to criticism, Chhour argued that boot camps were needed to show young offenders "there were consequences for their actions but they could benefit from a chance to turn their lives around." [22] Retail NZ issued a statement expressing cautious support in light of high retail crime in New Zealand. [23]

In mid April 2024, the Waitangi Tribunal summoned Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The Tribunal asked the Minister to answer several questions including how many caregivers working with the Ministry had raised concern over the impact of Section 7AA and to provide specific examples of children being placed into unsafe conditions because of Section 7AA. In response, Crown lawyers filed judicial proceedings in the High Court seeking to block the Tribunal's summons. ACT leader Seymour criticised the Waitangi Tribunal's summons, saying that "they're buying a fight with someone with much greater mana." [24] On 24 April, the High Court overturned the Waitangi Tribunal's subpoena to Chhour. In response, Treaty rights activist and lawyer Annette Sykes announced that she would appeal the High Court's decision. Crown Law has indicated Chhour plans to introduce her bill to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act in mid-May. Once Parliament has the bill, the Tribunal must cease its investigation into the issue. [25] On 29 April, the Tribunal released an interim report claiming that the proposed repeal of Section 7AA would harm vulnerable children. The Tribunal is expected to release its report by 12 May 2024. [26]

On 13 May, the New Zealand Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the Waitangi Tribunal and overturned the High Court ruling against Chhour's summons. That same day, the Government's Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill was introduced into Parliament. [27]

On 20 July, Chhour and Acting Prime Minister David Seymour unveiled the Government's "Military-Style Academy Pilot" for youth offenders to the media, who were given a tour of its facilities. [28]

Personal life

Chhour lives on the North Shore. She met her husband Menglin, a Cambodian refugee, in intermediate school. They lost touch when she moved schools, but reconnected when she was 16, working at McDonald's after dropping out of high school. They have four children together. [4] [5] [6] [7] [29]

In 2020, Chhour reconnected with her long-lost Australian father and discovered she has two sisters. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waitangi Tribunal</span> Permanent commission of inquiry in New Zealand

The Waitangi Tribunal is a New Zealand permanent commission of inquiry established under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975. It is charged with investigating and making recommendations on claims brought by Māori relating to actions or omissions of the Crown, in the period largely since 1840, that breach the promises made in the Treaty of Waitangi. The Tribunal is not a court of law; therefore, the Tribunal's recommendations and findings are not binding on the Crown. They are sometimes not acted on, for instance in the foreshore and seabed dispute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ACT New Zealand</span> New Zealand political party

ACT New Zealand, also known as the ACT Party or simply ACT, is a right-wing, classical liberal, right-libertarian, and conservative political party in New Zealand. It is currently led by David Seymour, and is in coalition with the National and New Zealand First parties, as part of the Sixth National government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Jones</span> New Zealand politician

Shane Geoffrey Jones is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for the New Zealand First party.

Boot camps are part of the correctional and penal system of some countries. Modeled after military recruit training camps, these programs are based on shock incarceration grounded on military techniques. The aggressive training used has resulted in deaths in a variety of circumstances. Boot camps are also criticized around the world for their lack of behavioral change and for the way extreme force can traumatize children and teenagers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oranga Tamariki Act 1989</span> Act of Parliament in New Zealand

The Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 or Children's and Young People's Well-being Act 1989 is an Act of the New Zealand Parliament that was passed in 1989. The Act's main purpose is to "promote the well-being of children, young persons, and their families and family groups." In June 2017, the New Zealand Parliament passed amendment legislation renaming the bill the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Justice (New Zealand)</span> New Zealand government ministry

The Ministry of Justice is an executive department of the New Zealand Government, responsible for supporting the judiciary and the administration of justice within New Zealand. It develops justice policy and provides advice to ministers, Cabinet, and other justice sector agencies. Its main functions are to help reduce crime and build safer communities; increase trust in the justice system; and maintain the integrity of New Zealand's constitutional arrangements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelvin Davis (politician)</span> New Zealand politician

Kelvin Glen Davis is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the House of Representatives, and was a senior minister in the Sixth Labour Government and the deputy leader of the New Zealand Labour Party from 2017 to 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Office of the Children's Commissioner</span>

The Office of the Children's Commissioner was an independent New Zealand Crown entity that was established under the Children's Commissioner Act 2003. Its role has been superseded by Mana Mokopuna - Children and Young People's Commission. OCC's main responsibilities were to protect the rights, health, welfare, and wellbeing of minors under the age of 18 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wira Gardiner</span> New Zealand public servant (1943–2022)

Sir Harawira Tiri Gardiner was a New Zealand soldier, public servant, and writer. He was Māori, of Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao, Whakatōhea, and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent.

The youth justice system in New Zealand consists of organisations and processes that deal with offending by children aged 10–13 years and young people aged 14–16 years. These differ from general criminal processes, and are governed by different principles.

Oranga Tamariki (OT), also known as the Ministry for Children and previously the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, is a government department in New Zealand responsible for the well-being of children, specifically children at risk of harm, youth offenders and children of the State. It is the successor agency of the former department, Child, Youth and Family (CYF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care</span> New Zealand royal comission

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions is a royal commission established in 2018 by the New Zealand Government pursuant to the Inquiries Act 2013 to inquire into and report upon responses by institutions to instances and allegations of historical abuse in state care and faith based institutions between 1950 and 2000. The report and its final recommendations was publicly released on 24 July 2024, five-and-a-half-years after its terms of reference were first released.

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi is a New Zealand politician who was elected to the New Zealand parliament at the 2023 general election as the MP for Te Tai Tokerau representing Te Pāti Māori. After several decades in iwi social and health services, she first stood for parliament in the 2020 general election. Her electoral success in 2023 led to the retirement of her predecessor, Kelvin Davis, who had been Labour Party deputy leader since 2017.

Tureiti Haromi Moxon, Lady Moxon is a New Zealand Māori health leader and campaigner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Becroft</span> New Zealand judge

Andrew John Becroft is a New Zealand Jurist and Barrister. From 2016 until 2021 Becroft was Children's Commissioner. Prior to that, he practised community law, and was a District Court judge and principal judge of the Youth Court of New Zealand. Throughout his career Becroft has taken a specialist approach to dealing with youth and child offenders and been involved in many organisations and initiatives to support this. During his time as Children's Commissioner, Becroft developed strong public positions of monitoring and advocacy on a range of issues related to the safety of children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022</span> Act of Parliament in New Zealand

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act 2022 now repealed, was an act of the New Zealand Parliament that sought to combat smoking by limiting the number of retailers allowed to sell smoked tobacco products; banning the sale of smoked tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009; and discouraging the consumption of smoked tobacco products. The bill passed its third reading on 13 December 2022 and received royal assent on 16 December 2022. The new National-led coalition government announced in late November 2023 that they intended to repeal the legislation. The Smokefree legislation was repealed under urgency on 28 February 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022</span> Act of Parliament in New Zealand

The Oversight of the Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022 is a New Zealand Act of Parliament that establishes an Independent Children's Monitor to provide oversight over the country's Oranga Tamariki system, which provides services and support to children, young people, and their families under the provisions of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. The Bill was formerly part of the proposed "Oversight of the Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People's Commission Bill" until it was split into two separate pieces of legislation by the New Zealand Parliament on 11 August 2022. Together, the Oranga Tamariki Oversight Act and the companion Children and Young People's Commission Act 2022 replaced the Office of the Children's Commissioner, the independent national Children's ombudsman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children and Young People's Commission Act 2022</span> Act of Parliament in New Zealand

The Children and Young People's Commission Act 2022 is a New Zealand Act of Parliament that establishes the Children and Young People's Commission and repeals the Children's Commissioner Act 2003. The Bill was formerly part of the proposed "Oversight of the Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People's Commission Bill" until it was split into two separate pieces of legislation by the New Zealand Parliament on 11 August 2022. Together, the bill and the companion Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022 replaced the Office of the Children's Commissioner, the independent national Children's ombudsman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sixth National Government of New Zealand</span> Government of New Zealand since 2023

The Sixth National Government is a coalition government comprising the National Party, ACT Party and New Zealand First that has governed New Zealand since November 2023. The government is headed by Christopher Luxon, the National Party leader and prime minister, along with coalition party leaders David Seymour and Winston Peters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independent Children's Monitor</span>

The Independent Children's Monitor is a departmental agency within New Zealand's Education Review Office. It was established by the New Zealand Government in 2019 to ensure organisations working with children, young people, and their families were complying with the National Care Standards. On 1 May 2023, its role was expanded to include oversight over the entire Oranga Tamariki system. As of 2023, Arran Jones was the Chief Executive of the Independent Children's Monitor while Nova Banaghan served as the Chief Monitor.

References

  1. Rātana, Liam (4 November 2020). "Meet your new Māori MPs". Re.
  2. "Event – New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz.
  3. 1 2 "Minister Davis apologises over comments to ACT's Karen Chhour". Radio New Zealand . 29 September 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  4. 1 2 Chhour, Karen (9 February 2021). "'I didn't think I'd survive to the age of 10'". Newsroom.
  5. 1 2 3 Witton, Bridie (6 November 2021). "National Portrait: ACT MP Karen Chhour, from state child to Member of Parliament". Stuff.
  6. 1 2 3 Wade, Amelia (5 August 2020). "Election 2020: Party of 6? Meet the Act team who could soon become MPs". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Election 2020: Upper Harbour candidates for local MP". Stuff . 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  8. "Upper Harbour – Official Result". Electoral Commission . Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  9. "2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result". Electoral Commission . Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  10. "2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission . Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  11. "Karen Chhour". ACT New Zealand . Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  12. Bruno, Gus (9 December 2021). "New Zealand's government announces bold new Smokefree 2025 Action Plan to BAN young people smoking across the country". Seven News . Seven Network. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  13. "Oranga Tamariki minister challenges ACT MP to enter Māori world". Radio New Zealand . 28 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  14. "Upper Harbour - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  15. "2023 General Election - Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  16. "Cabinet lineup for new government unveiled - who gets what?". Radio New Zealand . 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  17. "New govt set to scrap parts of Oranga Tamariki reform". 1 News . TVNZ. 30 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  18. "'Military academy' for youth offenders to be trialled from mid-2024". 1 News . TVNZ. 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  19. "Government confirms plans for youth boot camps". Newshub . 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  20. Desmarais, Felix (5 March 2024). "'Reckless, heinous and lazy': Greens on Govt's military-style bootcamps". 1 News . Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  21. "Boot camps for young offenders are expensive and do not work, critics say". Radio New Zealand . 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  22. "Minister 'completely disagrees' with boot camp critics". Radio New Zealand . 6 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  23. Retail NZ (6 March 2024). "Young Offender Military Academies". Scoop. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  24. "Crown lawyers attempt to block Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for Children". Radio New Zealand . 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  25. McConnell, Glenn (25 April 2024). "Legal fight to summons children's minister will continue, with appeal lodged". Stuff . Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  26. Hurihanganui, Te Aniwa (25 April 2024). "Waitangi Tribunal releases scathing interim report on Govt proposal". 1 News . TVNZ. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  27. Hurihanganui, Te Aniwa (13 May 2024). "Court of Appeal rules in favour of Waitangi Tribunal summons". 1 News . Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  28. "Children's Minister unveils pilot boot camp in Palmerston North". RNZ . 20 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  29. "ACT Announces List For 2020 General Election". Scoop (Press release). ACT Party. 28 June 2020. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.