Aunties take charge for new Oranga Tamariki hub

Waatea Team Aunties take charge for new Oranga Tamariki hub

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Taurangamoana iwi are taking a hands on approach to helping Oranga Tamariki make decisions about children in the rohe going in to care.

Te Whakaruruhau includes representatives from Ngā Pōtiki a Tamapahore, Ngāi Te Rangi, Waitaha and Ngāti Pukenga.

Verna Ohia-Gate from Ngā Pōtiki a Tamapahore Trust says when the agency announced a new office in Pāpāmoa, Ngā Parirau, the iwi challenged it to forge a partnership.

“We need to be looking at something different and how things are done differently because you are coming on to our whenua and we want to be part of that. We want to create something that will help both their staff and the way they work with tamariki,” she says.

Te Whakaruruhau’s ‘army of aunties’ will work out of a base at Te Parirau.

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