Māori outcomes report released by Independent Children’s Monitor

A new annual report by Aroturuki Tamariki explores outcomes for Māori after experiences of New Zealand's care and protection system during 2023/24. 

The report has found that current outcomes must improve - and we are committed to playing our part and working with our partners to deliver.

Our full response including details of our work programme to improve outcomes is in our statement below.

Read the full report on the Aroturuki Tamariki Independant Children's Monitor website.

"Oranga Tamariki acknowledges the Aroturuki Tamariki Independent Children’s Monitor report on outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau.   

"We share the Monitor's concern about the overrepresentation of Māori within the wider care system, and we agree the outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori need to be improved. That is why we have a large work programme underway to address barriers and improve outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau.   

"That work includes our improved Practice Approach which focuses on working more closely with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau Māori and we have invested significantly in strengthening our cultural capability for kaimahi.   

"We have also invested in tools for social workers, including new technology to enable more time with tamariki, whānau as well as iwi and community partners.   

"We are actively improving Family Group Conferences, an area identified in the Monitor’s report, and we are seeing success with our prevention programmes, which allow for early engagement with iwi, communities and our partner agencies.   

"A key priority for Oranga Tamariki is to decentralise and devolve services to iwi, Māori and communities through our strategic partnerships, and support tamariki and whānau voices to be at the forefront. Oranga Tamariki is encouraged to see our partners and the Monitor recognise the progress and early successes tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau are experiencing as a result of this work. It is disappointing this is not reflected in the Monitor’s key findings.   

"We are also disappointed there is not a stronger focus in the report on the roles of all agencies who share responsibility for improving outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau.  

"The over-representation of Māori in the care system, and all levels of socio-economic deprivation data in Aotearoa is a complex societal issue.  There is more work to be done to understand the factors that are driving poorer outcomes for Māori. It is the role of the whole children’s system to support all children, including tamariki and rangatahi Māori, to thrive."