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.
COVID-19 - our response
Under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework ‘traffic light’ system, all sites are open with some health and safety requirements. You can also contact us on 0508 326 459 or email contact@ot.govt.nz if you have a report of concern or any questions. Our focus remains to keep at-risk tamariki safe and support whānau and communities. The Practice Centre has more information about the implications for practice at current traffic light settings.
News
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Wellington couple reflect on 21 years of caregiving
After 21 years of looking after newborn babies, Wellington caregiving couple Raewyn and Ian McLaren put away the bassinets and bibs for good this month.
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Pilot raises awareness of harmful sexual behaviour
Oranga Tamariki has partnered with Te Rūnanga o Waihao and Te Rūnanga Arowhenua, the Ministry of Education and STOP, a Christchurch-based non-government organisation, to deliver a pilot raising the awareness of concerning harmful sexual behaviour.
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Respite camps supporting whanaungatanga
It is a priority to enable siblings to be in care arrangements together; however, this is not always possible. If siblings can’t be living together, it is really important to ensure that they have opportunities to at least regularly spend time with each o…
Eliminating family violence and sexual violence
Oranga Tamariki is one of 9 agencies of the Joint Venture for eliminating family violence and sexual violence. You can find out more information on the Joint Venture website.

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.
Research
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Good practice for disabled tamariki and rangatahi in care
This literature review focuses on identifying good practice for disabled tamariki and rangatahi in out-of-home care (OOHC).
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Evidence Centre Seminar: August 2021
The seminar featured two presentations, both with a youth justice focus. We learned more about the NZ Crime and Victims Survey with particular reference to young people from two Ministry of Justice presenters. The Evidence Centre reported on the pathways…
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Transitions Support Service evaluation
The Transitions Support Service is for young people moving away from care into independent adulthood. The following reports present findings from the evaluation of the Transitions Support Service.
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.

Compliments, complaints and suggestions
We're keen to hear about your experience with us. Do you have any ideas about how we can improve our service?
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.