April 24, 2024
Grim options for state wards
A Māori youth advocate says Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is endangering Māori children by axing a section of her ministry’s act.
The High Court are expected to make a decision today on the Government’s challenge to a summons for the minister to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal to explain why the Government wants to repeal section 7aa of the Oranga Tamariki Act, which sets out the ministry’s obligations to the Treaty of Waitangi when caring for tamariki Māori.
Tupua Urlich says during the election campaign Ms Chhour admitted she had no knowledge on the Treaty of Waitangi.
He says former state wards like himself who become disconnected from their whakapapa usually have three options.
“They either join gangs looking for that whānau, that sense of belonging and people who understand them, or we turn against ourselves. The third option is if you’re strong enough and you’re connected enough you can push on and you can leave the system and not return to another one – for example our welfare, justice or corrections,” he says
Tupua Urlich says the crown is the last person you would trust your kids with.