October 28, 2020
Oranga Tamariki taps Tangaere for Takitimu reset
Ngāti Kahungunu chair Ngahiwi Tomoana is welcoming the appointment of a new regional director for Oranga Tamariki in Hawke’s Bay.
The pōwhiri for Julie Tangaere is being held today, at the same time the Waitangi Tribunal is in Hastings hearing a claim over the child protection agency's uplifts of Māori children.
Ms Tangaere, who has connections to Omahu Marae in Heretaunga, has worked in the Ministry of Justice as director of the Waitangi Tribunal unit and director and chief registrar of the Māori Land Court, and most recently as regional director for Wellington and Wairarapa with Te Arawhiti, the Office of Crown Māori Relations.
Mr Tomoana says that experience with whakapapa-related activities will be valuable in her new position.
"Our land was taken, our language was taken and now our loved ones are being taken. Someone like Julie, with that type of background who knows how people have fallen hard and over several generations, brings a lot more understanding and clarity to decision-making about whānau and the important strength of whānau whānui, of hapū, of iwi, and of waka," he says.
He will watch with interest what effect Ms Tangaere’s appointment will have on the agency.
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