Boss adamant she’s staying

Oranga Tamariki boss Grainne Moss says she will not quit the job and has heaped praise on the minister in charge of the child welfare agency – despite his refusal to express confidence in her.

Moss said she was excited to work with Minister Kelvin Davis, after speaking to a Waitangi Tribunal urgent inquiry into the agency’s removal of Ma¯ori babies that was sparked by the attempted uplift of a baby at Hastings hospital in 2019.

The attempted uplift sparked a string of reviews and inquiries – and alienated swathes of the Ma¯ori community against the agency.

Moss spoke to media the day after the Minister in charge of Oranga Tamariki, Davis, refused to say to Stuff that Moss had his confidence.

However, speaking to media,

Moss said she had no plans to leave the role.

‘‘I’m absolutely committed to the kaupapa, and we’ve made really good progress – but there’s lots more to do.’’

Moss said she had not been asked by any ministers to resign.

Despite Davis refusing to express confidence in her, Moss said she had ‘‘a number of very constructive conversations’’ with him.

‘‘To have the number three in Government looking after children and an associate minster as number 10 [Poto Williams]. I just think it is a really exciting time, and to have such a senior Ma¯ori minister who’s got frontline experience ... we’re really looking forward to working with minister Davis, minister Williams and all the other ministers.’’

Moss said she was not disappointed that Davis refused to express confidence in her.

‘‘No not at all, we’re in the process of getting to know each other

... and he is deeply, deeply committed to better outcomes. He asked for this portfolio.’’

She said she had not set herself a deadline to gain the minister’s confidence.

Moss spoke after admitting to the tribunal that structural racism

was a feature of the care and protection system, with adverse effects for tamariki Ma¯ori, wha¯nau, hapu¯ and iwi.

She said the Crown should have identified the need to tackle structural racism ‘‘head on’’ when Oranga Tamariki was established.

JOEL MAXWELL/STUFF Oranga Tamariki chief executive Grainne Moss is upbeat after confirming to media she has no intention of standing down from the role.