Maoricentred agency called for

WELLINGTON: Having a Maori person acting as head of Oranga Tamariki is not enough to solve racism in the Ministry for Children, Lady Tureiti Moxon says.

The National Urban Maori Authority chairwoman said Maori needed a separate child welfare system.

Lady Moxon was among Maori leaders who had called for Grainne Moss to resign from her role as head of Oranga Tamariki.

Ms Moss resigned from Oranga Tamariki last week after controversy over a policy that allowed the removal of newborn babies from their parents — predominantly Maori — into state care.

Maori leader Sir Wira Gardiner is acting as chief executive of Oranga Tamariki until a new person is found for the role, which Ms Moss had held since 2017.

Lady Moxon said Sir Wira’s temporary appointment had not solved problems with racism in the Ministry for Children.

‘‘Grainne Moss made a statement last year that the Crown is very sorry . . . for the racism within that ministry, and yet they think that has gone away because you put a Maori person at the head,’’ Lady Moxon said.

‘‘It has not gone away and it’s there and it’s rife with it.’’

A separate agency was needed, so Maori could determine what was best for their own tamariki, she said.

‘‘The end goal is that we have our own Mokopuna Authority — I’m talking about Maori for Maori by Maori.’’

Law changes introduced in 2019 to ensure Oranga Tamariki recognised the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi were not enough, Lady Moxon said.

‘‘It’s definitely failed.’’ — RNZ