Oranga Tamariki leader will not quit
WELLINGTON: Oranga Tamariki chief executive Grainne Moss is digging in, refusing to resign in the face of stiff criticism, but has acknowledged the organisation is yet to eliminate structural racism or fully adopt the recommendations of a 1998 report.
Another scathing report into the agency was released this week — and Minister for Children Kelvin Davis has refused to express confidence in her leadership.
The Waitangi Tribunal’s inquiry into Oranga Tamariki convened in Wellington yesterday, where Ms Moss conceded for the first time publicly that structural racism exists within the agency — but said she still had work to do.
‘‘I’m not set to resign, I can confirm I’m staying in my role. I’m absolutely committed to the kaupapa.
‘‘We’ve made lots of progress, but there’s lots more to do and it’s a privilege to be able to have an opportunity to improve the outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and their whanau.’’
A report by the Children’s Commission this week concluded many major failings by the agency were unfixable.
The commission wants an immediate end to uplifts of Maori babies from hospitals, and to prevent all uplifts where families are not notified first.
Ms Moss dismissed Mr Davis’ refusal to express confidence in her leadership, saying she had not been asked to step down.
‘‘We’re in the process of getting to know each other,’’ she said.
‘‘We’ve had some very constructive, positive meetings, conversations, and he is deeply committed to better outcomes and I’m committed to those outcomes, too.’’
Multiple inquiries have highlighted failings in system, including the way social workers have taken babies from their mothers.
The Waitangi Tribunal’s urgent inquiry is the fifth into the agency since the attempted uplift of a Maori newborn from a Hawke’s Bay hospital last year.
In her submission, Ms Moss said the Crown was yet to eliminate structural racism.
‘‘Structural racism is a feature of the care and protection system which has had adverse affects for tamariki Maori, whanau, hapu and iwi, and has detrimentally impacted the relationship between Maori and the Crown.’’
She also acknowledged the Crown’s failure to fully adopt the recommendations of the 1988 Puao Te Ata Tu Report, which outlined ways the ministry could address racism and better respond to the needs of Maori.
She said Oranga Tamariki had made some progress, including seven formal partnerships with iwi and adopting the new ‘‘7AA’’ legislation in many areas, which required it to consider the importance of a child’s whakapapa when they entered state care.
Children’s Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft told the tribunal the legislation had so far failed to protect Maori children or create meaningful partnerships.
‘‘It’s Oranga Tamariki who determines if there is to be a strategic partnership [and] it is Oranga Tamariki who determines if there is funding and how much is to be given to the partnership,’’ he said.
‘‘It is still hard to conclude that 7AA does no more, and I say this carefully and thoughtfully, [than] perpetuate in law a master and servant relationship.’’
He said many of the problems at Oranga Tamariki could not be fixed by a restructure, and the only way forward was to devolve power to hapu, iwi and Maori organisations to do the agency’s work.
The tribunal spent much of the day deliberating and questioning submitters about what a reimagined state care system, where Maori had the decisionmaking power, would look like.
Those discussions will continue today when the tribunal meets again. — RNZ