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Waikato Tainui has signed a memorandum of understanding with Child, Youth and Family that will give the iwi more say in what happens with children put into care.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the agreement will help her department use iwi networks to support whanau in need.
She says too many Maori children are hurt and abused, but by openly acknowledging this and working together with iwi the department may be able to support those children and their families earlier.
About 440 of the 5000 children in the care of CYF are affiliated to Waikato Tainui.
Child, Youth and Family has similar agreements with Ngapuhi and Ngati Porou.
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