Oranga Tamariki

Last updated

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children
Oranga Tamariki logo.svg
Agency overview
Formed2017
Preceding agency
Jurisdiction New Zealand
Annual budgetVote Oranga Tamariki
Total budget for 2019/20
Increase2.svg$1,198,615,000 [2]
Ministers responsible
Agency executive
  • Vacant,
    Chief Executive
Website Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki

Oranga Tamariki, 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). [1]

Contents

Functions and structure

The minister responsible for Oranga Tamariki is the Minister for Children, a position currently held by Karen Chhour. On 31 October 2017, it was announced that the ministry would be renamed to Oranga Tamariki — Ministry for Children. [3] Oranga Tamariki is guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. [4]

The organisation is headed by a chief executive and consists of three major clusters: "Service Delivery", "Voices and Quality", and "Enabling Functions." Services Delivery consists of a "Partnering for Outcomes" group, two "Services for Children and Families" groups (one in the North Island and one in the South Island), a "Youth Justice Services" group, and a "Care Services" group. The "Voices and Quality" cluster consists of a Tamariki Advocate/Voices of Children group and a Chief Social Worker/Professional Practice group. The "Enabling Functions" cluster consists of the "Policy, Investment and Evidence" group and a "Leadership and Organisational Development group." Each of these groups is headed by a deputy chief executive. [5] [6]

Under the provisions of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022, the Children and Young People's Commission (Maka Mokopuna) is responsible for monitoring Oranga Tamariki's youth justice residences. [7] In addition, the Independent Children's Monitor has oversight over the Oranga Tamariki system and ensures that organisations that work with children and young people comply with the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, National Care Standards regulations, and the Oversight of the Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022. [8] These were formerly the responsibility of the former Office of the Children's Commissioner, which was dissolved in 2023. [9] [10]

Youth justice facilities

Oranga Tamariki also operates five youth justice residences: Korowai Manaaki and Whakatakapokai in South Auckland, Te Maioha o Parekarangi in Rotorua, Te Au rere a te Tonga in Palmerston North, and Te Puna Wai ō Tuhinapo in Rolleston. These facilities serve as both homes and remand centres for youth offenders who have been referred there by the Youth Court system. [11] [12] [13] Residents consist of teenagers aged 16 years and under as well as 17 and 18-year old youths. These include youth offenders facing serious criminal charges including murder, rape, aggravated robbery, and gang connections. [12] Residents at youth justice residences receive education, life skills training, and treatment programmes for anger, drugs, and alcohol. [11] [12]

Oranga Tamariki also operates four "Care and Protection" residences in South Auckland, Lower Hutt, Christchurch and Dunedin. These cater for children aged between 12 and 16 years who cannot be placed in foster care due to behavioural issues, criminal offending or drug consumption. [13] In addition, Oranga Tamariki runs three Youth Justice Community Homes or remand homes: Hillcrest Home in Hamilton, Te Kohanga in Rotorua, and Will Street Whare in Dunedin. These exist alongside several community homes run by various social security providers. [14] The agency also runs a youth care facility called the Puketai Care and Protection Residence in Dunedin. [15]

In early March 2024, the Minister for Children Karen Chhour confirmed that Oranga Tamariki would be running a pilot "Youth Offender Military Academy" from mid-2024. The military academy would target the most serious youth offenders and would have a rehabilitative and trauma-informed care approach. While the programme would be led by Oranga Tamariki, it would also liase with other agencies and include a military component. [16] [17]

History

Oranga Tamariki is the successor organisation to the former Child, Youth and Family (CYF) department, which was dissolved down by the Fifth National Government in March 2017. [1] [18] [19] Oranga Tamariki, initially known as the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, formally came into existence in November 2017. Following the formation of a Labour-led coalition government in October 2017, the Ministry for Vulnerable Children was renamed the Ministry for Children. [3]

From May 2018 to June 2019, there were 39 reported physical assaults against the organisation's social workers. [20]

In November 2019, Oranga Tamariki (with the Ministry of Education) investigated sex acts at a Catholic primary school in Wellington. [21]

2019 "Uplifting" controversy

On 11 June 2019, the news website Newsroom published a series of stories including a documentary called The Uplift criticising Oranga Tamariki's practice of "uplifting" or separating children from their parents. Newsroom argued that Oranga Tamariki's "uplifting" policies disproportionately targeted Māori and Pasifika children, claiming that three Māori babies were being "uplifted" from their mothers a week. According to Newsroom's report, 70% of children "uplifted" in 2018 came from Māori and Pasifika backgrounds. [22] [23] [24]

This attracted considerable media coverage and public discussion. [25] [26] [27] Former Māori Party leader Dame Tariana Turia demanded the resignation of Oranga Tamariki chief executive Grainne Moss. [28] By contrast, former Families Commissioner Christine Rankin defended Oranga Tamariki's actions and criticised Newsroom for allegedly spinning it into a "race issue." [29] Meanwhile, Christian advocacy group Family First New Zealand called for the Government to establish a fully independent watchdog for Oranga Tamariki. [30]

On 12 June 2019, Oranga Tamariki pursued legal action against Newsroom, seeking orders for cuts to Newsroom's The Uplift story that it disputed. [31] The agency also defended its practice of "uplifting" children, arguing that these actions were done to ensure the safety of children. [32] On 13 June, the Family Court declined Oranga Tamariki's bid to force Newsroom and news website Stuff to change details to The Uplift story. [33] In response to public interest, the Children's Minister Tracey Martin announced that she would meet with local iwi Ngāti Kahungunu and the Māori Council to defuse the situation. [34] On 16 June, Martin announced that the Government would be conducting a review into Oranga Tamariki's attempted uplifting in the case of a Hawkes Bay mother and her child. The review will be led by the Chief Social Worker at Oranga Tamariki while a person appointed by Ngāti Kahungunu will provide independent oversight. [35] [36] On 18 June, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ruled out a royal commission of inquiry into Oranga Tamariki's practices. [37]

On 22 August 2019, Oranga Tamariki signed an agreement with the North Island iwi Ngāi Tūhoe to ensure that fewer Māori children end up in state care. As part of the agreement, Oranga Tamariki will deal with at-risk Tūhoe children through its Whakatane office to ensure that children were moved from state care into family homes. Earlier in the year, Oranga Tamariki had signed similar partnership agreements with other Māori iwi including Waikato Tainui, Ngāi Tahu and Ngāpuhi. [38] [39]

In October 2019, it was reported that Oranga Tamariki was charging an Auckland dad $110 per hour to see his son. [40] During that same month, Hawke's Bay parents refused to participate in a government review, claiming a lack of trust in the investigation. [41]

Moss announced in January 2021 that she was "stepping down" from her position. [42]

COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, the Minister of Health, Chris Hipkins, issued a press statement in mid-August 2020 rejecting rumours circulating within the Māori and Pasifika communities that Oranga Tamariki was taking away children whose parents had tested positive for COVID-19. [43]

Uplifting of "Moana"

In 2021, Oranga Tamariki was involved in a custody dispute over a Māori girl referred to as "Moana". The dispute was between Moana's Pākehā (New Zealand European) foster parents, "the Smiths", and Moana's iwi, Ngāti Kahungunu. The six year old Moana, who had experienced abuse and neglect at the hands of her birth mother, had been living with the Smiths for three years since 2018 in the Hawke's Bay region. The ministry and Ngāti Kahungunu wanted Moana to be placed with an elderly Māori woman known as "Mrs Taipa" and her daughter ("Ms Taipa") on the grounds that the Smiths could not meet her Māori cultural needs. [44] [45] On 9 September 2021, Judge Peter Callinicos dismissed Oranga Tamariki's application for Moana to be removed from the Smiths. He also criticised Oranga Tamariki for allegedly "putting ideology ahead of the child's best interests" and rejected their assertion that the Smiths were stripping Moana of her whakapapa (genealogy). Callinicos also criticised the ministry for not helping the Smiths to meet Moana's cultural needs and inaccurate statutory reports. [45] [46]

On 10 September, Moana's birth mother filed an appeal against Judge Callinicos's decision. Ngahiwi Tomoana, the head of Ngāti Kahungunu, who had supported the ministry's application, called for the decision to be appealed and claimed that uplifting separated Māori children from their families and communities. [46] The mother's lawyer Janet Mason and Oranga Tamariki argued that Judge Callinicos had misapplied the statutory cultural provisions of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, had mischaracterised or overlooked evidence due to his alleged bias, and disregarded Moana's cultural and familial needs. On 9 November 2022, Wellington High Court Justice Helen Cull dismissed Moana's birth mother's appeal on all grounds and ruled that Moana could remain in the care of her Pākehā foster parents. [47]

In early December 2022, Mason appealed the High Court's decision to the Supreme Court of New Zealand, arguing that the 2019 amendments to the Oranga Tamariki Act strengthened Treaty of Waitangi commitments. [48]

On 20 March 2023, the Smiths relinquished custody of Moana, citing the stress caused by the ongoing legal battle for her care caused by the ongoing appeals, lack of support from Oranga Tamariki's Napier office, and numerous false reports of abuse. Mrs Smith described the decision as "heartbreaking" and stated that they were "still grieving the loss of our daughter in our home" and wanted Moana to be part of their family's lives. Oranga Tamariki's East Coast regional manager Julie Tangaere described Moana's case as "highly sensitive" and "distressing," but asserted that its involvement had been consistent with the implementation of the Court's plans. Former Assistant Māori Commissioner for Children Glenis Philip-Barbara stated that Māori children deserved to be both safe and with their whanau (family). [49] In response, the ACT Party claimed that the parents had been bullied by Oranga Tamariki because of their race and advocated the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. [50]

June 2021 assault video

In late June 2021 a whistleblower informed the news website Newsroom about incidents where Oranga Tamariki staff members allegedly physically assaulted children being housed at Oranga Tamariki's Care & Protection Residences. The report raised concerns about the welfare of children in their care along with the use of restraints and physical force. [51] This led to the closure of such facilities in July 2021. [52]

Malachi Subecz abuse case

In October 2022, the Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier released a scathing report into Oranga Tamariki's handling of the case of five year old Tauranga child Malachi Subecz, who was murdered by his caregiver Michaela Barriball in November 2021. Barriball had been looking after the boy whose mother had been imprisoned. Boshier described the department's response as "a litany of failures" and criticised Oranga Tamariki for not prioritising Malachi's welfare. [53] In late June 2022, Barriball had been sentenced to a life sentence of at least 17 years after pleading guilty to two charges of ill-treating a child and a murder charge. While In Barriball's care, Malachi had been beaten, starved, thrown against walls, and burnt with scalding water by his caregiver. Barriball's sister Sharon Barriball was also convicted of perverting the course of justice by concealing evidence and sentenced to six months home detention. [54]

Malachi's relatives including his aunt Helen Menzies criticised Oranga Tamariki's handling of Malachi's case, stating that his death was preventable and that the government department had failed him. In mid October 2022, Oranga Tamariki acknowledged that it had failed to act on at least two reports by Malachi's stepfather and a Corrections Department probation officer expressing concerns about Malachi's wellbeing. [55] The Minister for Children Kelvin Davis confirmed that Oranga Tamariki accepted the findings of the Ombudsman's report but delayed taking further action until a review of the Oranga Tamariki child care system had been completed. In response, the Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer criticised Davis' decision to delay action, stating that "a delayed approach meant atrocities were likely continuing." Ngarewara-Packer advocated implementing mandatory reporting as an interim measure. [56]

In early December 2022, a second independent report by former health official Dame Karen Poutasi into Oranga Tamariki and other agencies' handling of the Malachi case was released. In addition to Oranga Tamariki, her investigation examined the responses of other government departments and agencies including the Corrections Department, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, and the New Zealand Police. Poutasi criticised these organisations for ignoring people who raised concerns about Malachi's wellbeing and failing to report or act upon signs of abuse. Poutasi made 14 recommendations including requiring Oranga Tamariki to vet proposed carers in the event a solo parent is taken into custody and requiring professionals and services working with children to report suspected abuse to Oranga Tamariki. [57] Poutasi's report was welcomed by Malachi's parents as a vindication of their view that the child's death could have been prevented had Oranga Tamariki acted. Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister of Children Kelvin Davis. [58] Stuff also reported that Oranga Tamariki's Tauranga office, which oversaw Subecz's case, experienced high workload pressures, a high number of unallocated cases, inadequate site capacity, and significant burnout and stress among staff members. [59]

In early December 2022, Newshub reported that the Government had accepted 9 of Poutasi's 14 recommendations including comparing medical records to gain a full picture of a child's health and promoting regular public awareness campaigns dealing with child abuse. However, the Government stated that it would consider the five remaining recommendations including vetting the caregivers of imprisoned parents, regular follow-up checks and implementing the mandatory reporting of suspected abuses to Oranga Tamariki. Davis confirmed that three of the senior staff working on Subecz's case were no longer working with the agency. Two of the individuals had resigned while a third had been dismissed. In addition, Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti confirmed that the early childhood centre Subecz attended had also lost its license in November 2022. [60]

Issues at youth justice facilities

In July 2017, local residents objected to Oranga Tamariki's plans to establish a youth remand home in Dunedin's Abbotsford suburb. [61]

Between June 2018 and June 2019, a total of 1463 complaints concerning physical, verbal or other staff misbehaviour were lodged by children and youths residing at Oranga Tamariki's Youth Justice and Care and Protection residences. 544 of these complaints were upheld following investigations. [62]

In late June 2021, Newsroom reported that three Oranga Tamariki staff members at a Care and Protection Residence had assaulted and restrained a 13 year old resident. The incident was filmed by a whistleblower. In response, Oranga Tamariki's acting chief executive Wira Gardiner confirmed that several staff had been suspended while the agency and Police investigated the incident. [63]

In July 2021, Newsroom reported that several whistleblowers had alleged that several Oranga Tamariki youth justice residences had a "boy's club" culture among staff, which tolerated violence and restraints against youth residents. The whistleblowers also alleged that residents were sometimes stripped searched and forced to wear suicide gowns. There were also allegations that some staff members were unqualified and included former Serco staff who had failed Corrections criteria, who had been hired due to their connections to staff at youth justice residences. [62]

In August 2021, the Office of the Children's Commissioner criticised conditions at the Puketai Care and Protection Residence Will Street Whare. Issues at Puketai included long delays at securing placements for young residents, mistreatment by staff, and confinement. [15] Issues at Will Street Whare included a lack of staff training and supervision, inadequate funding for provisions, the mixing of different categories of residents, lack of feedback opportunities from child residents, and a lack of a plan for incorporating tikanga Māori. [64]

In late May 2023, The New Zealand Herald reported that Oranga Tamariki's youth justice residences faced several issues including staff shortages and turnovers, increased violence and threats from residents, and inadequate equipment including radios. The Herald also reported that staff faced frequent attacks with improvised weapons including sharpened toothbrushes and vape pen components. Unlike men's prisons in New Zealand, teenage residents can meet their families without obstruction and visitors cannot be searched under most circumstances. Between May 2022 and May 2023, several assaults were reported at the five residences: Te Puna Wai (64), Korowai Manaaki (46), Te Maioha (14), Te Au Rere (12) and Whakatakapokai (10). Between 2014 and 2015, the Rolleston-based Te Puna Wai facility reported 104 offenses and 60 serious assaults. [12] In response to problems with Oranga Tamariki's youth residences, ACT party leader David Seymour proposed replacing them with youth detention centres run by the Department of Corrections. [65]

On 8 February 2023, five teenagers attempted to escape the Te Puna Wai residence and climbed onto a roof in the complex. During their escape attempt, an Oranga Tamariki staff member was stabbed in the neck with an improvised weapon. In May 2023, several teenagers threatened a staff member at Te Puna Wai with an improvised shank before barricading themselves in the lounge and attacking staff. During the ensuing brawl, Oranga Tamariki staff were forced to use chairs as improvised shields to break up the fight, which resulted in moderate injuries. [12]

On 21 June 2023, Oranga Tamariki removed two staff members from youth justice residences following allegations of "inappropriate sexual behaviour" involving five young people. In response to the abuse allegations, former Police Commissioner Mike Bush took charge of all Youth Justice residences and launched a review of all residences and community-based homes. Children's Minister Kelvin Davis described the alleged abuse incidents as unacceptable but praised Oranga Tamariki's chief executive's "swift and decisive response." He also confirmed that Oranga Tamariki was shifting from "care-and-protection residences" towards smaller community-based residences. [66] On 24 June, Oranga Tamariki investigated a third staff member who was accused of inappropriate touching and sexual comments. [67]

On 24 June 2023, five young people climbed onto the roof of a building in the Christchurch youth justice facility. [68] An Oranga Tamariki staff member sustained a broken wrist during the incident. Following efforts by Oranga Tamariki and the Police to manage the "crisis," the four remaining youths vacated the roof cavity and were taken into Police custody. [69]

On 1 July 2023, six young people climbed on the roof a building at the Korowai Manaaki youth justice facility in Wiri, South Auckland. At the time of the incident, temperatures in Auckland had dropped to 11 degrees Celsius and there was heavy rain in the area. Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive Mike Bush along with members of the Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand took part in efforts to negotiate with the youths during the standoff. [70] Following a 40-hour standoff, the six teenagers climbed down from the roof. According to Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive Tusha Penny, the teenagers were offered KFC and McDonald's in order to convince them to climb down. During the standoff, the youths damaged the roof, ceiling cavities, and security cameras. The teenagers were subsequently placed into Police custody. [71] In late December 2023, The New Zealand Herald reported that Oranga Tamariki had spent over NZ$1,000 in purchasing fast food from KFC, McDonald's and Domino's during the two roof incidents in Christchurch and Auckland to convince the residents to come down from the roof. [72]

On 4 July 2023, Newshub reported that Oranga Taramiki staff members had filmed several teenager residents participating in an illegal MMA-style fight at the Korowai Manaaki facility. In response, Penny confirmed that Oranga Tamariki had suspended four staff members from their duties pending investigation. [73] In response, National Party leader Christopher Luxon criticised Oranga Tamariki's leadership and management, and advocated military-style boot camps as an alternative to the youth residences. [74] By 6 July, a total of 11 Oranga Tamariki staff members had been stood down for alleged misconduct. In response to media coverage, a former youth justice resident alleged that Oranga Tamariki staff members organised fights as a "scare tactic" meant to reinforce a "pecking order." [75] By 7 July, 13 staff members had been removed from youth justice residences. [76]

On 30 August, two men were charged with organising fights at the Oranga Tamariki secure youth residence in Wiri. They appeared in court under the charge of "ill treatment/neglect of a child under 18." [77] By 21 September, Oranga Tamariki had received 46 complaints about staff conduct at its youth justice residences, and referred 28 of these to the Police. Since June, the agency had removed 22 staff from youth justice residences in response to various complaints including inappropriate language, supplying contraband, and both physical and sexual assaults. [78] [79] In late September, a former Korowai Manaaki resident alleged that staff had bribed him into allowing them to beat him in return for chocholate. [80]

On 12 December 2023, five staff members and three young people were wounded during a fight at the Muriwai Unit at the Te Puna Wai youth justice residence in Christchurch. Minister for Children Karen Chhour confirmed that five young people had been identified as instigating the fight and that the authorities were investigating and would take legal action against the instigators. [81]

2024 Ombudsman's review

On 21 February 2024, the Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier released a report, entitled "Children in care: complaints to the Ombudsman 2019-2023," that criticised the Ministry for repeatedly failing to follow its own laws and regulations. Boshier called on the Government to make large scale changes to Oranga Tamariki. His review outlined over 2,000 complaints and enquiries around the Ministry for the past four years. Key issues identified in Boshier's report included that young people had not been listened to when they complained about issues, reports of concern were not adequately addressed, failure to engage with Māori in a culturally appropriate way, inadequate communication and support for parents, insufficient consultation with disabled parents and children and incorrect information being provided to the Family Courts. The Ombudsman recommended several changes including an organisation-wide quality improvement plan, educating staff about legislations and policies, improved the quality of information in decision-making, more training and supervision, regular tracking and reporting, and improving record keeping. Boshier said that Oranga Tamariki needed a detailed timeline to implement these changes. He also acknowledged that the Ministry had implemented several changes following his investigations including a requirement for an accurate analysis of the risks and benefits of placements in Oranga Tamariki's court documents. [82] [83]

The Ombudsman's report accompanied a critical Oranga Tamariki report which found that the number of children who had been abused or neglected in its care had risen from 450 in 2022 to over 500 in 2023. 2,424 reports of concern had also been filed in 2023. [83] In response, Minister for Children Karen Chhour welcomed the report and stated that she wanted to set clear priorites for Oranga Tamariki and to provide frontline staff with resources needed to do their job. "Voyce - Whakarongo Mai" spokesperson Tupua Urlich expressed skepticism that the report would lead to a change in Oranga Tamariki's practices given the Ministry's track record of ignoring its own procedures. [82]

List of ministers for children

The following ministers have held the office of Minister for Children.

Party key National
Labour
NZ First
ACT
No.NamePortraitTerm of OfficePrime Minister
1 Anne Tolley TEU Annual Conference 2009 (4095716643).jpg 20 December 201626 October 2017 English
2 Tracey Martin Tracey Martin.jpg 26 October 20176 November 2020 Ardern
3 Kelvin Davis Hon Kelvin Davis.jpg 6 November 202027 November 2023
Hipkins
4 Karen Chhour Karen Chhour (crop).jpg 27 November 2023present Luxon

Related Research Articles

Child, Youth and Family, was the government agency that had legal powers to intervene to protect and help children who are being abused or neglected or who have problem behaviour until it was replaced by a new Ministry for Vulnerable Children in April 2017. CYF worked with the Police and the Courts in dealing with young offenders under the youth justice system. It provided residential and care services for children in need of care and protection and for young offenders. CYF assessed people who wished to adopt children and it reported to the Family Court on adoption applications. CYF facilitated the exchange of identifying information for parties to past adoptions. The agency also funded community organisations working with children, young people and their families to support the community's role in protecting and helping children.

The Ministry of Social Development is the public service department of New Zealand charged with advising the New Zealand Government on social policy, and providing social services. MSD is the largest public service department, employing public servants in over 200 locations around New Zealand. MSD delivers its programmes and services through a number of business groups and agencies.

<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">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.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracey Martin</span> New Zealand politician

Tracey Anne Martin is a New Zealand former politician. She was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives between 2011 and 2020, representing the New Zealand First Party.

Matthew Tamahae Tukaki is a businessman.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anahila Kanongata'a</span> New Zealand politician

Anahila Lose Kanongata'a is a New Zealand social worker and politician. She served as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party from 2017 to 2023.

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

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 New Zealand general election</span> General election for the 54th Parliament of New Zealand

The 2023 New Zealand general election was held on 14 October 2023 to determine the composition of the 54th Parliament of New Zealand. Voters elected 122 members to the unicameral New Zealand House of Representatives under the mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system, with 71 members elected from single-member electorates and the remaining members elected from closed party lists. Of the 72 electorates, only 71 seats were filled, with the remaining electorate MP determined in the 2023 Port Waikato by-election, due to the death of one of the general election candidates. Two overhang seats were added due to Te Pāti Māori winning six electorate seats when the party vote only entitled them to four seats, with an additional overhang seat added after the by-election making for 123 members of parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura O'Connell Rapira</span> New Zealand community activist (born 1988)

Te Raukura O'Connell Rapira is a grassroots leader, speaker and community activist from Aotearoa. They advocate for Indigenous land rights, Mana Motuhake, police and prison abolition, fully funded mental and sexual health services, LGBTQIA+ equality, the political power of young people and environmental justice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Chhour</span> New Zealand politician

Karen Louise Chhour is a New Zealand politician. She has been a member of parliament for ACT New Zealand since the 2020 general election.

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">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.

Malachi Rain Subecz was a five-year old child who was violently abused and murdered by his caregiver Michaela Barriball in Te Puna, New Zealand in November 2021. Barriball pleaded guilty to ill-treating a child and murder and was sentenced to at least 17 years imprisonment. Barriball's sister Sharon was also convicted of concealing evidence and sentenced to six months home detention. Subecz's murder attracted media coverage in New Zealand and led to two highly critical reviews of Oranga Tamariki, the government department responsible for the well-being of children.

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. 1 2 3 Kenny, Katie (28 July 2016). "Faces of Innocents: CYF to be shut down and replaced by a new ministry". Stuff . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  2. "Total Appropriations for Each Vote". Budget 2019. The Treasury. 30 May 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Ministry for Vulnerable Children is changing its name, again". Stuff. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  4. "Overview". Oranga Tamariki. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  5. "About Us Brochure" (PDF). Oranga Tamariki. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  6. "What we do". Oranga Tamariki. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  7. Hill, Ruth (23 June 2023). "New monitor promises to be vigilant over Oranga Tamariki". Radio New Zealand . Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  8. "Aroturuki Tamariki: Independent Children's Monitor". Govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 17 May 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  9. "Children's Commissioner: Statutory role and function" (PDF). Office of the Children's Commissioner. February 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  10. "Children's Commissioner no more as new oversight Children and Young People's Commission launches". The New Zealand Herald . 1 July 2023. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Youth Justice Residences". Oranga Tamariki. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Morton, Nathan (30 May 2023). "The inside story of New Zealand's youth justice residences". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  13. 1 2 Pollock, Kerryn (21 December 2018). "Residential homes for children and young people, 21st century". Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  14. "Youth Justice Community Homes". Oranga Tamariki. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  15. 1 2 Chen, Liu (8 August 2021). "Youths kept at residence for too long – report". Radio New Zealand . Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  16. "'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.
  17. "Government confirms plans for youth boot camps". Newshub . 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  18. Davison, Isaac (31 March 2017). "Oranga Tamariki to take over from Child, Youth and Family tomorrow". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  19. McQuillan, Laura (3 April 2017). "Q&A: What's different about Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Vulnerable Children?". Stuff . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  20. Robson, Sarah (1 October 2019). "Punched, struck, kicked: Assaults on Oranga Tamariki staff increase". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  21. Livingston, Tommy; Hunt, Tom (8 November 2019). "Sex acts in primary school investigated by Oranga Tamariki and Ministry of Education". Stuff . Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  22. "NZ's own 'taken generation'". Newsroom. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  23. Stone, David (11 June 2019). "An injustice we can no longer tolerate". Newsroom . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  24. Jennings, Mark (11 June 2019). "Baby uplift case breached legal processes". Newsroom . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  25. Dunlop, Māni (13 June 2019). "Demands for Oranga Tamariki name change, end to 'uplifting'". 1 News . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  26. Parahi, Carmen (14 June 2019). "Māori will no longer tolerate the removal of babies by the state". Stuff . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  27. "NZ's own stolen generation". Radio New Zealand. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  28. Bateman, Sophie (13 June 2019). "Dame Tariana Turia calls for Oranga Tamariki CEO Grainne Moss to resign". Newshub . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  29. Ensor, Jamie (14 June 2019). "Christine Rankin angry Oranga Tamariki uplifts becoming a race issue". Newshub . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  30. "Time For Govt To Establish Watchdog For Oranga Tamariki". Family First New Zealand. Scoop. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  31. Murphy, Tim (12 June 2019). "Oranga Tamariki taking Newsroom to court". Newswroom . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  32. "Oranga Tamariki defends policy after alarming newborn footage". Newshub. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  33. Murphy, Tim; Sachdeva, Sam (13 June 2019). "Judge declines OT action vs Newsroom". Newsroom . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  34. Collins, Simon (15 June 2019). "Children's Minister steps into Oranga Tamariki baby uplift case". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  35. "Inquiry announced into handling of attempted uplift of a baby in Hawke's Bay last month by Oranga Tamariki". 1 News. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  36. Martin, Tracey (18 June 2019). "Oranga Tamariki Review". New Zealand Government. Scoop . Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  37. "Jacinda Ardern rules out royal commission of inquiry into Oranga Tamariki's practices". 1 News. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  38. "Oranga Tamariki signs agreement with North Island iwi Tūhoe". The New Zealand Herald . 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  39. "Tūhoe and Oranga Tamariki unite in effort to move at-risk children out of state care". 1 News. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  40. Saxton, Amanda (17 October 2019). "'Very sneaky': Oranga Tamariki charges Auckland dad $110 an hour to see son". Stuff .
  41. Moir, Jo (29 October 2019). "Parents at centre of Oranga Tamariki child uplift won't take part in government review". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  42. "Oranga Tamariki chief executive Grainne Moss steps down". Radio New Zealand. 22 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021.
  43. Hendry-Tennent, Ireland (20 August 2020). "Health Minister Chris Hipkins shuts down myth Oranga Tamariki is taking children from people with COVID-19". Newshub . Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  44. Sharpe, Marty (14 August 2021). "Oranga Tamariki wants girl removed from couple after three years because it says her cultural needs are unmet". Stuff . Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  45. 1 2 Sharpe, Martin (9 September 2021). "Judge dismisses Oranga Tamariki's bid to remove Māori girl from Pākehā couple". Stuff . Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  46. 1 2 Sharpe, Marty (10 September 2021). "Oranga Tamariki decision to be appealed by birth mother". Stuff . Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  47. "Moana appeal dismissed: Young Maori girl can stay with Pakeha caregivers". Stuff . 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  48. Sharpe, Marty (7 December 2022). "Moana decision appealed, may be heard in Supreme Court". Stuff . Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  49. Sharpe, Marty (20 March 2023). "'Hardest decision of our lives': Foster parents return Moana to state care". Stuff . Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  50. ACT New Zealand (20 March 2023). "'Moana' Caregivers Bullied By Bureaucrats Into Giving Up". Scoop . Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  51. Melanie Reid; Bonnie Sumner (30 June 2021). "Whistleblower video shows assault on state care kids". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021.
  52. Melanie Reid; Bonnie Sumner (1 July 2021). "Oranga Tamariki closing care and protection residence". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021.
  53. Quinlivan, Mark (5 October 2022). "Chief Ombudsman slams Oranga Tamariki for handling of Malachi Subecz case, says it failed to do 'bare minimum' before child was murdered". Newshub . Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand . Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  54. Griffiths, Ethan (30 June 2022). "Beaten, burnt and killed: Woman imprisoned after prolonged abuse, killing of 5yo Malachi Subecz". Bay of Plenty Times . NZME . Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  55. Duff, Michelle (21 October 2022). "Two more adults tried to save Malachi. Oranga Tamariki did not act, family say". Stuff . Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  56. "Malachi Subecz death: Te Pāti Māori claims 'lacklustre' response by Oranga Tamariki and minister". Radio New Zealand . 21 October 2022. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  57. Quinlivan, Mark (1 December 2022). "Oranga Tamariki, other agencies 'could have done more' to prevent harm done to Malachi Subecz before his murder – review". Newshub . Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  58. "Malachi Subecz's whānau say report confirms death of five-year-old was preventable". Radio New Zealand . 1 December 2022. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  59. Quill, Annemarie (3 December 2022). "'Hell' at Oranga Tamariki Tauranga office a key factor in Malachi Subecz's death". Stuff . Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  60. Lynch, Jenna (1 December 2022). "How Government is responding to damning report on Malachi Subecz's death". Newshub . Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  61. Taylor, Margot (18 July 2017). "Youth remand home shock". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  62. 1 2 Reid, Melanie; Sumner, Bonnie (5 July 2021). "'Bullying and nepotism' – Who's running our Youth Justice residences?". Newsroom . Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  63. Reid, Melanie; Sumner, Bonnie (28 June 2021). "Whistleblower video shows assault on state care kids". Newsroom . Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  64. "Changes made at youth remand home after critical report". The New Zealand Herald . 10 August 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  65. "David Seymour on idea for Corrections to run detention facilities for young criminals". Radio New Zealand . 8 May 2023. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  66. "Two Oranga Tamariki staff removed after claims of 'inappropriate sexual behaviour'". Radio New Zealand . 21 June 2023. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  67. McConnell, Glenn (24 June 2023). "Third Oranga Tamariki worker accused of sexual misconduct". Stuff . Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  68. "Five offenders escape youth justice facility in Christchurch". 1 News . TVNZ. 24 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  69. "Four youths in police custody after a night on the roof of Oranga Tamariki facility". The Star . Allied Press. 25 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  70. "Youngsters endure cold and wet night on roof of Oranga Tamariki youth justice facility in Auckland". The New Zealand Herald . 2 July 2023. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  71. Hewett, William (3 July 2023). "Group of teens who spent more than 40 hours on roof of Auckland youth justice facility have come down". Newshub . Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  72. "Oranga Tamariki's KFC order to lure kids off roofs at Korowai Manaaki, Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo". The New Zealand Herald . 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  73. Truebridge, Nick (4 July 2023). "Exclusive: 'Disturbing' video shows MMA-style fight at Oranga Tamariki youth justice facility". Newshub . Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  74. Ruru, Karanama (5 July 2023). "Four staff stood down, police investigate after fight at youth justice facility". Stuff . Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  75. "Oranga Tamariki staff organise fights between youths to show who's boss, ex-resident says". Radio New Zealand . 6 July 2023. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  76. Truebridge, Nick (7 July 2023). "Oranga Tamariki reveals 13 staff removed from under-fire youth justice facilities". Newshub . Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  77. Truebridge, Nick; Hewett, William (30 August 2023). "Two men charged with organising fights at south Auckland Oranga Tamariki facility". Newshub . Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  78. Hickman, Bill (21 September 2023). "Oranga Tamariki review: Agency refers 28 complaints over staff conduct to police". Radio New Zealand . Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  79. Haskell, Leighton (21 September 2023). "Calls for 'urgent' change after 22 Oranga Tamariki staff stood down for inappropriate behaviour". Newshub . Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  80. Truebridge, Nick (28 September 2023). "Ex-Oranga Tamariki youth justice resident claims staff beat him up for rewards". Newshub . Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  81. "Staff, young people injured after fight at youth justice facility". 1 News . TVNZ. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  82. 1 2 Hudson, Jemina (21 February 2024). "Oranga Tamariki failing to follow its own laws, Chief Ombudsman finds". Radio New Zealand . Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  83. 1 2 McCallum, Hannah (24 February 2024). "Chief Ombudsman makes rare call to overhaul Oranga Tamariki". The Post . Retrieved 24 February 2024.