October 26, 2021
Ngāi Tahu points way for child protection
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has developed a new programme to reduce the number of Māori tamariki and rangatahi entering the Oranga Tamariki system.
Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis says Whānau as First Navigators will get $25.9 million over three years, with the bulk of the money going to help Ngāi Tahu and ngā maata waka health and social service providers build on the work they already do to support whānau.
Rūnanga chief executive Arihia Bennett says the programme will help whānau find solutions that suit them before tamariki end up in Oranga Tamariki care.
Prevention mahi could include specialist support, respite care, arrangements with extended whānau, or engaging tamariki with sports and cultural experiences.
The rūnanga will also look at how it can influence and support the cultural development of social workers working alongside whānau Māori within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā.