All-M¯aori board to help ‘fix’ Oranga Tamariki
The Government has announced a board of high-profile Ma¯ ori leaders to help ‘‘fix’’ Oranga Tamariki.
The ministerial advisory board starts its work on February 1, and comprises Dame Naida Glavish, Shannon Pakura, Sir Mark Solomon and is chaired by Matthew Tukaki.
It follows the January 22 resignation of Oranga Tamariki chief executive Grainne Moss, who stepped down after four tumultuous years heading up the agency charged with caring for vulnerable children. Moss came under fire from the wider
Ma¯ ori community after public controversy following the attempted removal of a baby from its mother at Hastings hospital in 2019.
Sir Wira Gardiner was appointed as acting chief executive in her place.
Minister in charge of Oranga Tamariki Kelvin Davis said the Government was committed to fixing the child care and protection system, and ensuring that Oranga Tamariki was ‘‘the organisation that people trust and go to for help’’.
‘‘Over time allegations, issues and concerns have been raised regarding Oranga Tamariki and its practice and culture; its lack of co-ordination with other NGOs; and its relationship with many Ma¯ ori communities.’’
He said the board would look at three main areas – relationships with families and Ma¯ ori, professional practice of social workers, and organisational culture.
When Moss resigned, Davis said leading the agency was one of the toughest roles in the public service ‘‘and I respect the decision she has made and the dignified way in which she has done it’’. Last year Davis refused to express confidence in Moss.
Davis said the new advisory board would provide ‘‘real time’’ updates on progress at the agency, outside formal reporting and data.
Last November the Office of the Children’s Commissioner released a report calling for the state to loosen control of care for at-risk Ma¯ ori children – handing over ‘‘every aspect’’ of decision-making for removing children to Ma¯ ori.
It recommended the Government start by resourcing iwi, hapu¯ and Ma¯ ori organisations to figure out how the system would work.
Tukaki is the New Zealand Ma¯ ori Council executive director. Dame Naida has worked in the health sector and with iwi groups. Pakura was previously the president of the Aotearoa Association of Social Workers. Sir Mark has been a leader with Ngai Tahu.
The board’s first report was expected by June 30.