“We will not be silenced.”
The voices and key asks of 11 rangatahi who experienced abuse while in state care after 1999 have been detailed in an independant submission to the Royal Commission, and released to the public today. The experiences gathered by VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai were presented to the Royal Commission last year, some of which will be […]
“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 […]
Lived Experience needed to improve OT Oversight Bill
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai opposed this Bill on the grounds that its design contradicts its objective, it weakens rather than strengthens the oversight of Oranga Tamariki. Whakarongo Mai – Listen to me Care experienced young people have been vocal about their concerns, including speaking at Select Committee, directly to the responsible Minister and in the […]
VOYCE NYC trip to USA
In July of 2022, four members of the National Youth Council, one Kaiwhakamana and Jamie, the National Leadership Trainer for NYC headed over to the USA. The following is each of their stories: Jamie Lee: National Leadership Trainer, National Youth Council I spent a thrilling few months co-planning the VOYCE Whakarongo Mai USA trip with […]
Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill must go
State care survivors are calling for the Government to step up and protect vulnerable children and young people by scrapping a proposed Oranga Tamariki Bill. Despite widespread opposition from the social sector and all other major political parties, the Labour-majority Select Committee has recommended the ‘Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People […]
Updates to Family Court Bill supports young people
The Bill amendments focus on engaging young people in processes that affect their care, with tamariki and rangatahi participation a guiding principle. Next steps for policy makers will be developing best practice guidance for child participation so that the law can be implemented. Other key parts of the Bill amendments: The amendment to section 5 […]
Two years of free postage
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai is the lucky recipient of NZ Post’s ‘Delivering for Good’ opportunity at a time where connection is more important than ever. The delivery service created the initiative to help not-for-profit organisations achieve social impact within their communities. NZ Post’s free courier services will be supporting VOYCE in sending care packages, including […]
Independent Inquiry into Abuse in Care
People with abuse in care experiences after 1999 can still register to share their experiences with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. The Abuse in Care Inquiry is the biggest independent inquiry of its kind to be held in NZ’s history and is looking into the abuse and neglect that happened to […]
Ten young people impacted by Te Oranga Residence closing
On Tuesday 29th June, 2021, newsroom.co.nz broke the story (Trigger Warning: Violence) on excessive restraint captured by leaked surveillance footage at the Oranga Tamariki residence, Te Oranga. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner and VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai expressed our view publicly on the staff behaviour shown on film. In response to this disturbing footage, Sir Wira Gardiner, the acting […]
