Claim kaupapa Maori not valued at agency

AUCKLAND: Social workers have told the Waitangi Tribunal that Maori staff were not promoted because Oranga Tamariki does not value Maori knowledge.

A Waitangi Tribunal hearing into the uplift practices of Oranga Tamariki and why there is a disproportionate number of tamariki Maori in state care is under way in Auckland.

Social worker of 25 years Hera ClarkDancer said handing over the reins to iwi was both more effective and less intrusive.

She said that during her time as a senior social work adviser with Te Runanga o Ngati Porou an assessment of a whanau was able to be carried out within two hours of a report of concern being lodged.

‘‘Oranga Tamariki could not do this type of work alone because they did not have the capacity, time and extensive and relevant networks and connections.

‘‘During my time, the majority of cases were related to unborn babies.

‘‘We involved both the maternal and paternal whanau and many times the support came from the papa whakapapa.

‘‘However, if the father was untraceable we relied on the mama and her whakapapa solely.’’

She said Oranga Tamariki preferred to promote or hire people with business management skills rather than valuing people with knowledge of kaupapa Maori, which was why less than 33% of staff were Maori, despite Maori making up 68% of the client base.

There are also eight deputy chief executive positions, three of which are held by Maori who have come from business or governance backgrounds, rather than experienced social workers.

Raewyn Bhana, who has been a social worker for 33 years, almost half of that time with Oranga Tamariki, agreed that not enough value was placed on Maori knowledge.

‘‘Matauranga Maori is not valued or weighted as a criteria for appointment as a practitioner or for gaining promotions.

‘‘Maori social workers are not scaffolded or supported into higher positions and so often they don’t apply for positions because they’ve seen from past experience they don’t get it.

‘‘The further you climb within Oranga Tamariki, the less value is placed on matauranga Maori.’’

She said some Oranga Tamariki staff did not know what Puaoteatatu was — a landmark report written in 1988 outlining the racism within the Department of Social Welfare.

She said it was indicative of the wider culture of the organisation.

‘‘They’re pressurised and incentivised to close files quickly and efficiently, rather than set up longlasting solutions with whakapapa.’’

Both Ms ClarkDancer and Ms Bhana said family group conferences should be run by Maori. — RNZ