by Social Equity
Social Equity — September 22, 2019
The Māori Inquiry into Oranga Tamariki is an independent review of the New Zealand Government’s child protection agency Oranga Tamariki.
Why an Inquiry into Oranga Tamariki?
The Māori Inquiry into Oranga Tamariki is an independent review of the New Zealand Government’s child protection agency Oranga Tamariki. The Inquiry is a result of the continued inaction by Government to respond to ongoing, serious issues around the actions of their agency in perpetuating intergenerational harm of Māori whānau, in particular around the unethical, forced removal of tamariki from their whānau. The emerging body of evidence around the harmful effects of these removals is in direct contravention of the Government’s stated aim of ensuring tamariki are where they can be safe, connected and flourishing.
What will the Inquiry look into?
Scope and purpose of the Inquiry
The scope of the Inquiry is the historical and contemporary incidence of removal of tamariki from their whānau by Oranga Tamariki the Ministry for Children and its predecessors (Children Young People and Families Service and the Department of Social Welfare) and the adverse effects of this practice on whānau.
The purpose of the Inquiry is to identify, examine, and report on the matters in scope. The Inquiry will be informed by the voices of whānau, hāpori and those with lived experience of the policies and practices of Oranga Tamariki. The Inquiry commenced in July 2019, and will conclude by February 2020.
Who can make a Submission?
Submissions are invited from anyone that would like to participate in the Inquiry process. While the focus of the Inquiry is on whānau, the Inquiry is also prepared to hear voices, stories and viewpoints from any other interested parties.
How will Submissions be received?
There are a number of ways that whānau can share their experience noted below. Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu will be facilitating hui in the South Island and there are also opportunities being advertised for Ngā Pou Whakaaro or Whānau - Listening Posts.
Many whānau that have had a positive or negative experience with Oranga Tamariki will likely be familiar with their local Whānau Ora Navigator.
Save spaces for whānau to share their stories
Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is committed to providing a safe space for whānau to share their lived experiences and also provide support should whānau want to make a submission.
The Māori Inquiry into Oranga Tamariki is an independent review of the Government’s child protection agency Oranga Tamariki. The Inquiry responds to calls from whānau to address what they describe as the intergenerational harm of Māori whānau through, removal of tamariki from their whānau.
Our interest, as the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for Te Waipounamu, is to hear from whānau experience, about how the stated aims of whakapapa, whanaungatanga and mana tamaiti can be upheld in relation to children in care.
Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu hui will be held at the following locations
Whakatū / Nelson, Tuesday 1 October, 10am-1pm, Victory Community Centre, 214 Vanguard Street.
Te Tai Poutini / West Coast, Wednesday 2 October, 10am-1pm, Poutini Ora, 62 Shakespeare Street, Greymouth.
Ōtepoti/Dunedin, Monday 7 October 1-4pm, Te Roopu Tautoko Ki Te Tonga Inc, 6 Wolseley Street.
Ōtautahi/Christchurch, Tuesday 8 October, 4-7pm, 79 Springfield Road Rehua Marae.
Wairau / Blenheim, Wednesday 9 October, Time and Venue TBC.
RSVP HERE 0800 187 689
Whānau submissions can be made online Whanau submissions
All submissions close on 31 October 2019.