December 21, 2022
OT boss says asking for help OK
The new chief executive of Oranga Tamariki says the child protection agency’s future success depends on the partnerships it can create with commiunities and iwi.
Former Public Service Commission official Chappie Te Kani was confirmed in the role after serving as acting CEO for the past year.
In that time he’s established a new leadership team and worked to strengthen relationships with iwi, Māori, non-government organisations and other key stakeholders.
He says Oranga Tamariki needs to use powers like uplifting children as a last resort.
“I know Oranga Tamariki is at its best, over the year I’ve been acting CE, when we solve problems by working outside ourselves, looking o our partners, asking for help, building those relationships. I’ve seen may examples over the year where we’ve done that and it’s been incredibly successful. I know that’s where we’re going to be at our best,” Mr Te Kani says.
Oranga Tamariki has also put 500 people through a cultural awareness courses developed with the three wanana, which he says in many cases has been transformative.