February 28, 2019
Stronger iwi links counter to baby grab
The Commissioner for Children says shocking figures about the number of tamariki taken into state care in Porirua highlight why every office of the new Children’s Minsitry Oranga Tamariki needs to build strong links with iwi and communities in its area.
Figures obtained by Radio New Zealand show the Child Youth and Family Porirua uplifted 68 children in the last financial year, a 70 percent increase on the previous year.
Judge Andrew Beecroft says those statistics show the system isn’t working for Māori, and a new vision is needed that upholds mana tamaiti and makes maintaining connections with whānau and iwi a priority.
"There has to be a state-funded organisation like Oranga Tamariki that works hand in hand with iwi, Māori organisations and the community because the state can’t do it on its own, hasn’t done it on its own and hasn’t served Māori tamariki well," he says.
Judge Beecroft says the as Children’s Commissioner he is determined to make Oranga Tamariki accountable for the vision in its legislation.
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