The Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill makes a wide range of legislative changes in order to support the new operating model for the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki.
Proposals in the Bill include:
- changing the purposes and principles of the Act to place children and young people at the centre of decision-making and consider them within the context of their families, whānau, hapū, iwi, family groups, and broader networks and communities
- allowing young people to remain or return to living with a caregiver until the age of 21, with transition support and advice available up to age 25
- strengthening information sharing provisions to keep vulnerable children and young people safe from harm
- extending the youth justice system to include most 17 year olds (excluding those charged with serious offences)
- enhanced complaints processes.