May 14, 2024
Chhour evades tribunal grilling with 7AA bill tabling
![Watermark](/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-4.png)
![](https://waateanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mntBLOCKSTORAGEhomemasternews_importersrcoranga-tamariki-rwid-a-1.jpg_1_Pub-1.jpg)
The Government has introduced legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act, on the same day the Court of Appeal ruled the Waitangi Tribunal had the right to make Children’s Minister and bill sponsor Karen Chhour appear before it.
Now the bill is before parliament the tribunal no longer has jurisdiction, but lawyer Annette Sykes says the ruling was a win for her Ngati Pikiao claimants and sets an important precedent for future claims.
The tribunal issued a final report last week in anticipation of the Government’s move, saying the repeal of the section, which requires he department to develop a practical commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi to improve outcomes for tamariki Māori, was a treaty breach and would harm children.
Ms Chhour says 7AA has caused Oranga Tamariki to fail children because it allows the treatment of children and young people as an identity group first and a person second, creating a divisive system that has had a negative impact on caregivers.