VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai says a new report highlighting the ongoing overrepresentation of
tamariki and rangatahi Māori throughout the oranga tamariki system should be a catalyst
for urgent action rather than further discussion.
The report, Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga
tamariki system 2024/25, released today by Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s
Monitor, found tamariki and rangatahi Māori remain disproportionately represented at
every stage of the system and are more likely to experience poorer outcomes than both
non-Māori and Māori who have never been involved with Oranga Tamariki.
VOYCE Chief Executive Tracie Shipton says the findings are deeply concerning but not
surprising.
“The reality is that tamariki Māori are disproportionately represented across the entire
Oranga Tamariki system, and the disparity becomes even more pronounced the deeper into
the system they go.”
“What this report shows is that too many tamariki Māori are not receiving the right support
at the earliest opportunity. When concerns are identified, the response needs to be swift,
effective and centred on the needs of the child and their whānau. Right now, that is not
consistently happening.”
The report found many tamariki and rangatahi Māori experience multiple reports of
concern before receiving the support they need, with one quarter having 10 or more
previous reports of concern.
Shipton says the findings reinforce what young people with care experience have been
saying for years.
“We know what works. Young people, whānau, iwi and community organisations have been
telling us for a long time that earlier intervention, stronger relationships and culturally
grounded support make a difference.”
“It is heartening to see the report highlight successful iwi-led initiatives and local prototypes
that are achieving positive outcomes. There are great things happening in pockets across
the country.”
Shipton says the challenge now is ensuring these approaches aren’t treated as exceptions.
“They need to be systematically supported, resourced and replicated so that all tamariki
and rangatahi can benefit, regardless of where they live.”
Care experienced rangatahi Kat Wright is shocked but not surprised by the statistics out of
the report.
“Imagine my daughter crying for me 10 times and no one listening. I don’t want kids in care
to feel like a statistic – they are extremely important. How much better could the statistics
be if Māori got the support they need.”
As a young Māori wahine she says it’s incredibly powerful to be raised in Māori spaces.
“The most connected I felt was at a group home because the caregiver was Māori and I
didn’t feel alone. She was the only caregiver that had higher expectations of me as a Māori.
When Oranga Tamariki asked me what I wanted, I said I wanted to stay where I felt most
connected. They didn’t listen and moved me anyway.”
Moving forward, Shipton says there is no shortage of evidence about the changes required.
“The solutions are known. What young people need now is urgency of action.”
“Tamariki are growing up in this system today. They do not have the luxury of waiting for
the wheels of bureaucracy to catch up. Every year that passes without meaningful change is
another year where children miss out on the support, stability and opportunities they
deserve.”
VOYCE is now calling on decision-makers to accelerate the extra investment from this year’s
budget into Oranga Tamariki, strengthen iwi and community-led responses, and ensure the
voices of tamariki and rangatahi remain at the centre of reforms.
“When young people tell us what they need, we need to listen and act. The cost of delay is
being paid by children right now.”