April 30, 2021
Waitangi Tribunal backs shift of care to Maori from Oranga Tamariki
One of the claimants in the Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into Oranga Tamariki says its report validates their concerns and offers a clear road map for change.
The tribunal found the high number of Māori children and young people in state care represented a breach of treaty principles of partnership, active protection and options.
It said the crown needs to step back from what was reserved to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and allow Māori to reclaim that space.
It recommended the creation of a board to oversee the transformation to a new care and protection system, which should include senior Māori leaders such as Dame Naida Glavish, Sir Toby Curtis, Professor Sir Mason Durie and Lady Tureiti Moxon.
Lady Moxon says it’s everything she hoped for.
"Everything that we have been pushing hard for in terms of by Māori for Māori, Māori mana motuhake, an independent Māori authority so Māori can look after our own mokopuna, our own tamariki ourselves, this report is actually validating the things we have said. This is a good way forward for all of us," she says.
Lady Moxon says the National Party’s current opposition of the Māori Health Authority shows why any changes need to be backed up by legislation, so future Governments can’t tinker with them.
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