Our Care System is causing harm – enough is enough!
1 February 2024 Our care system is causing harm – enough is enough! Re: Aroturuki Tamariki (Independent Childrens Monitor) Report Experiences of Care in Aotearoa: Agency Compliance with the National Care Standards and Related Matters Regulations. Reporting Period 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023. VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai acknowledges the release of the latest […]
VOYCE Think Tank tūhono
Recently, the VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai Coast Team hosted a ‘Think Tank’ tūhono so that tamariki and rangatahi had the chance to share what they want to see from VOYCE tūhono in their rohe. This event was hosted in Heretaunga (Hastings) and was all about getting ideas from the young people. Thanks to a koha […]
VOYCE urgently calls for accountability
January 24 VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai urgently calls for accountability as new report shows Oranga Tamariki is not delivering quality health and dental care for all tamariki in their care. Re: Aroturuki Tamariki (Independent Childrens Monitor) Report: Access to Primary Health Services and Dental Care for Tamariki and Rangatahi in Care An in-depth look into […]
End of year wrap up: Nelson
To celebrate the end of the year, the VOYCE team joined Oranga Tamariki, Open Home Foundation and Caring Families Aotearoa for a picnic in the park in Nelson. This event was a connection point for the teams to see one another for the end of the year. Time was spent thanking caregivers for their mahi […]
VOYCE welcomes the new Government
Tamariki in care are some of our most structurally marginalized children. VOYCE would like to take this opportunity to highlight the important role of parental responsibility the new Government now holds for the roughly 4,500 children who are currently in the care of the state. As our new Government prepares to take on this responsibility, VOYCE […]
Tūrangawaewae: Pepeha Workshop
Our student in Ōtautahi, Veronica Smith, led a special tūhono for our care-experienced community focussed on learning about pepeha, mihimihi, and creating your own pepeha to acknowledge the people and places that are special to you. Our tūhono ‘Tūrangawaewae: Pepeha Workshop’ saw a range of tamariki and rangatahi aging from two weeks to 23 years […]
Open Letter to Political Leaders
*begins* Let’s be real. This has been an overwhelming election period. As such, there have been plenty of hot topics that have come to a head in the media/political sphere, specifically in regard to addressing youth crime. This of course includes televised leadership debates, articles, forums, and proposed policy. VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai Regional Youth […]
“You promised…now deliver”
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai is the national advocacy agency for care-experienced children and young people. We dream of an Aotearoa where all tamariki and rangatahi live with love and mana. We’re all responsible to make this reality! On Wednesday 30th August young care experienced leaders from across Aotearoa will gather to discuss the state of state […]
Rapid Review Launched
We currently have the lowest basic care standards applying to services for tamariki and rangatahi with the highest needs, and this is not good enough. While we acknowledge and appreciate Oranga Tamariki’s commitment to transparency and their willingness to address these allegations, we question the effectiveness of repeatedly reviewing a system that has consistently failed […]
Te Waka Rangatira Wānanga
From 17 – 20 April, VOYCE-Whakarongo Mai had our very first Te Waka Rangatira Wānanga at beautiful Te Kotahitanga Marae in Port Waikato. At VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, ‘Te Waka Rangatira’ (the Chiefly Canoe), is where young leaders with experience of the state care system unite to be seen, heard and connected to others with […]