October 27, 2021
Te Oranga abuse allegation falters
Oranga Tamariki has gone back on a decision by former acting chief executive Sir Wira Gardiner to close its Christchurch care and protection residence.
Current acting CEO Chappie Te Kani says the decision to close Te Oranga was made in the context of the information available at the time, but subsequent investigations and reviews do not support the view tamariki and rangatahi at the residence are unsafe, or that there is a widespread culture of abuse.
The decision was made after a whistleblower released video of a staff member assaulting a teenager, and came after repeated calls from the Children’s Commissioner for the residences to be bulldozed.
Mr Te Kani says the agency is working on options to transition from its care and protection residences, including developing a new model of care for high needs tamariki and rangatahi.
Its goal is that tamariki and rangatahi remain living with whānau, hapū, iwi or their family group, but some may still need therapeutic intervention in a specialist setting such as residential homes.