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August 24, 2022
Oranga Tamariki oversight watered down says Davidson
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On August 24, 2022
Download AudioGreens co-leader Marama Davidson says the Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill will deliver no such outcome.
The Greens voted against the bill at its third reading last night, but Labour had to votes to carry it.
The Greens are concerned the bill takes oversight from the Children’s Commissioner and splits it between a statutorily independent monitor for Oranga Tamariki, the Ombudsman who will receive and investigate complaints and a Children and Young People’s Commission to do the advocacy.
Ms Davidson, who’s also the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, says it runs counter to what children’s advocates, Maori advocates and even the Waitangi Tribunal have been saying.
“They’ve all been really clear – this oversight for an agency that’s been absolutely abhorrent in its approach, particularly for Maori, must have fully independent oversight and the bill is watering that down, there’s absolutely no two ways about it,” she says.
Ms Davidson says the hearing of the Royal Commission on Abuse in State Care this week shows state agencies continue to defend what they did not fully accept the harm done to survivors.
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