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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The Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Awards acknowledge the talents, achievements and enormous potential of rangatahi. They are an investment in their future.
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This year Oranga Tamariki and Te Hā o Maru have partnered to provide social services for the local community in Moeraki, Oamaru. They are starting to see positive results from their work together.
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Extending its urgent, integrated response to youth crime already in place in parts of Aotearoa, the successful Fast Track intervention is being expanded to Whangārei and Rotorua.
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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This Evidence Brief examines existing evidence to highlight the challenges, strengths, and limitations of different models of care for tamariki with high and complex needs in overseas jurisdictions.
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This research is a literature scan of the support children and young people who are or have been in care have for their education. It examines international best practice. It then identifies approaches that may have relevance for New Zealand.
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The Prevention Education Pilot was designed to equip educational professionals with the knowledge, language, and skills to respond effectively to children’s sexualised play and behaviour. An evaluation examined the pilot’s development and delivery.
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. The policies are our must-dos, and the guidance our how-tos.
Eliminating family violence and sexual violence
Te Aorerekura is a national strategy to eliminate family violence and sexual violence. It aims to unify and drive government action.
Te Puna Aonui is the cross-agency group responsible for carrying out this work.

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 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 Aotearoa New Zealand protects tamariki.