Moss’ exit beginning of the end: M¯aori leaders
Critics say Oranga Tamariki chief ’s resignation offers chance for reset
Critics of Oranga Tamariki’s practices say the resignation of its embattled chief executive offers a chance for a “reset” rooted in Ma¯ori leadership.
Grainne Moss announced yesterday she was resigning after four years at the helm of the government agency, which has come under intense scrutiny since a video was published of the uplift of a week-old Ma¯ori baby in Hastings in 2019.
That event has led to no fewer than five reviews of Oranga Tamariki and its child uplift practices: An internal review, and inquiries by Wha¯nau Ora, the Chief Ombudsman, the Children’s
Commissioner, and the Waitangi Tribunal.
The number of children in state care and the number of uplifts has fallen under Moss’ watch, and partnerships are being created with iwi to prevent their tamariki from going into care or keeping them within extended family.
But many prominent Ma¯ori leaders remained deeply distrustful of Oranga Tamariki and feel that transformational change has yet to occur.
Sir Wira Gardiner (Nga¯ti Awa, Nga¯ti Pikiao, Te Wha¯nau-a¯-Apanui and Te Whakato¯hea) has been appointed acting chief executive.
Gardiner, who is the husband of former National Party MP Hekia Parata, has been involved in significant interactions between the Crown and iwi on Treaty settlements and negotiating between parties on complex issues.
Yesterday Moss said she was proud of what the agency had achieved over the past four years: Fewer children entering care, the reduction of socialworker caseloads, the doubling of investment in iwi/Ma¯ori services, and new wha¯nau care partnerships with iwi and Ma¯ori organisations.
“However, I believe it is the right time for the agency for me to step down and make way for new leadership,” she said.
“I feel the focus has been on me rather than how we work together to improve the wellbeing of children.”
In a statement, Ma¯ori leaders Dame Naida Glavish, Dame Tariana Turia, Dame Iritana Ta¯whiwhirangi, Dame Areta Kopua, Lady Tureiti Moxon and Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said they were “over the moon”, calling Moss’ resignation a “principled and responsible decision”.
The wa¯hine filed an urgent claim last year against Oranga Tamariki in the Waitangi Tribunal on behalf of the National Urban Ma¯ori Authority.
Given that 60 to 70 per cent of children in state care are Ma¯ori, the claim advocated that 60 to 70 per cent of the resources go to Ma¯ori under a new Mokopuna Ma¯ori Authority.
“I hope this is a signal from the Crown that this is the start of devolution of tamariki Ma¯ori from Oranga Tamariki to Ma¯ori,” said Moxon, the chairwoman of the National Urban Ma¯ori Authority.
“Rangatiratanga and mana motuhake can only be realised if this happens so we can look after ourselves in our own way.”
The group had long been calling for Moss to step down to make way for Ma¯ori leadership, stepping up the call in December after deputy head of Oranga Tamariki Hoani Lambert, the most senior Ma¯ori leader, resigned instead.
At the time, Moss said she was not going anywhere, despite the refusal of new Minister for Children Kelvin
Davis to express confidence in her.
Davis said yesterday that he did not push Moss to resign. “She has made the decision to step down, and I respect that decision.”
He said he welcomed Gardiner into the acting chief executive role.
“My focus is on working with the leadership of Oranga Tamariki, fixing the system and implementing the Government’s work programme.
“Oranga Tamariki needs to be an enabler, a place wha¯nau go-to for help,” Davis said.
Crucial to this was partnership with Ma¯ori. “Now we have a real opportunity to make that happen.”
Ma¯ori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer welcomed Moss’ decision to resign.
“Our Ma¯ori Party policy, released during the election, is very clear — we must shut down Oranga Tamariki and start again with an independent mokopuna Ma¯ori agency,” she said.
“The Government must now implement that policy, and follow the advice of the Children’s Commissioner — begin the process to disband Oranga Tamariki and shift the powers and responsibility to an independent by Ma¯ori, for Ma¯ori agency.
“As a first step to achieving that, Kelvin Davis must appoint a senior Ma¯ori leader as acting CEO whose one job is to dismantle Oranga Tamariki and ensure there is a smooth transition to the new regime.”
Green Party spokeswoman for children Jan Logie also welcomed the decision, saying Moss had “lost the confidence of the community, particularly Ma¯ori”.
“Her resignation now paves the way for this Ma¯ori leadership.”
Moss will move into a new role as the chief executive of the Public Service Association.