We are dedicated to supporting any child in New Zealand whose wellbeing is at significant risk of harm now, or in the future.
We also work with young people who may have offended, or are likely to offend.
News
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Government expands Fast Track youth offending programme
The government has announced that more children who have offended, and their whānau will receive additional support.
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Tobias has a message for other kids in care
Meet Tobias. He’s a school prefect, dancer, pianist, and performer, with big dreams for the future.
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Iwi-led plan transforms the way whānau are supported
A new Ngāti Kahungunu-led plan was launched at Waipatu Marae, that will improve and transform the way tamariki and whānau in Te Matau ā Māui are supported through early intervention to limit whānau involvement with Oranga Tamariki.
Feedback and complaints
We're keen to hear about your experience with us. Do you have any ideas about how we can improve our service?
Research
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Making sense of being in care, adopted or whāngai
There are many children in New Zealand raised by people other than their birth parents. This qualitative study and literature review explores the perspectives of children and young people and those who care for them.
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Functional Family Therapy - Cross Generation
Oranga Tamariki has been piloting Pae Whakatupuranga, a new adaptation of functional family therapy, with the support of NZ Police, Department of Corrections, Kia Puāwai (formerly Youth Horizons), and the Functional Family Therapy company based in the Uni…
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Rainbow children and youth in care
The Voices of Children and Young People team requested a literature review on the needs and experiences of Rainbow children in care, to help fill an identified gap in our understanding of this particularly vulnerable cohort of young people.
Practice Centre

The Practice Centre is an online resource aimed primarily at Oranga Tamariki practitioners.
It contains policy, guidance and tools to help us in our work with tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau or family. The policies are our must-dos, and the guidance our how-tos.
Eliminating family violence and sexual violence
Oranga Tamariki is one of 9 agencies of the Joint Venture - Te Puna Aonui for eliminating family violence and sexual violence. You can find out more information on the Te Puna Aonui website.

VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai: advocacy service for children in care
If you're a child or young person in care, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai is an independent connection and advocacy service, separate from Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, and we're here to listen to you, support you, and be on your side. Part of what we also do is organise fun and engaging events for kids with care experience so you can connect with each other.

Social Worker recruitment
We're leading a new way of working to support children or tamariki who need care, creating a major shift in emphasis.
We have a number of social worker positions available now and invite dedicated and passionate social workers to play their part in helping change the way New Zealand protects children.