New Zealand’s Children’s Commissioner is calling for urgent action to better protect the rights of mokopuna Māori, following the release of a major report showing Māori children remain disproportionately represented throughout the State care and youth justice systems.
Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says the findings contained in the latest report from Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor should serve as a wake-up call for government agencies and policymakers.
The report, Outcomes for Tamariki and Rangatahi Māori and Their Whānau 2024/25, found Māori children and young people continue to experience significant inequities across every stage of the Oranga Tamariki system despite years of reform efforts.
While the majority of Māori children have no involvement with Oranga Tamariki, the report found that Māori continue to be overrepresented in reports of concern, state care, police proceedings and youth justice custody.
For Dr Achmad, the findings reinforce concerns that too many opportunities are being missed to support whānau before children enter the system.
The Children’s Commissioner says the strongest outcomes are often achieved when children remain connected to their whānau, hapū and iwi.
She argues that preventing children from entering state care in the first place should remain a central goal of the wider care and protection system.
The report identifies several examples where iwi and hapū are already leading successful initiatives that support children within their communities and reduce the need for state intervention.
These programmes often focus on whānau-centred approaches, cultural connection and early intervention, helping address challenges before they escalate into more serious issues.
Dr Achmad says these initiatives demonstrate what can be achieved when Māori communities are empowered to lead solutions for their own people.
A key theme emerging from the report is the importance of strengthening relationships between Oranga Tamariki and Māori.
The report highlights opportunities for deeper partnerships with iwi and hapū, many of whom have developed innovative approaches to care, protection and youth justice that are already delivering positive outcomes.
Across Aotearoa, iwi organisations have increasingly taken responsibility for supporting vulnerable whānau, often combining tikanga Māori, local knowledge and community relationships in ways that mainstream services struggle to replicate.
The Commissioner says genuine and enduring partnerships are essential if the system is to improve outcomes for mokopuna Māori and reduce the disparities that continue to persist.
While much of the focus is on prevention, Dr Achmad also stresses that when children do enter state care, the Crown has a responsibility to fully uphold their rights.
The report found significant disparities remain in areas such as education, health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori children involved with Oranga Tamariki.
These findings have renewed concerns about whether the system is delivering the support children need once they enter care.
The Commissioner says the State must be accountable to whānau, hapū and iwi for how it fulfils its obligations to children placed in its care.
For many Māori advocates, the issue is not simply about protecting children from harm but ensuring they remain connected to their whakapapa, culture and identity throughout their time in care.
Dr Achmad also emphasised the importance of listening directly to young people who have experienced state care.
She says care-experienced rangatahi Māori continue to provide valuable insights into what works, what does not, and what changes are needed to create a more effective system.
Many young people have spoken about the importance of feeling understood, supported and connected to their whānau and whakapapa while navigating the care system.
Advocates say those voices should play a greater role in shaping future policy and practice.
The report suggests that incorporating the experiences of rangatahi Māori could help improve outcomes for future generations and ensure services are better aligned with the realities young people face.
The release of the report comes amid growing national debate about the future direction of child welfare policy and the role of Māori-led solutions within the care and protection system.
Recent findings from Aroturuki Tamariki revealed that one in four Māori children who came to the attention of Oranga Tamariki had already been the subject of ten or more reports of concern before meaningful intervention occurred.
For many observers, this reflects a system that continues to respond too late rather than investing sufficiently in prevention and whānau support.
The Children’s Commissioner says the latest report provides further evidence that meaningful change remains urgently needed.
As government agencies consider the report’s recommendations, Māori leaders and child advocates are calling for stronger investment in prevention, earlier intervention and iwi-led services that keep children connected to their whānau and communities.
For Dr Claire Achmad, the message is clear: the rights, wellbeing and futures of mokopuna Māori must remain at the centre of every decision made by the care and protection system.
The challenge now is whether the wider Oranga Tamariki system can move beyond identifying the problems and begin delivering the transformational change that Māori children, young people and whānau have long been calling for.
#MokopunaMāori #OrangaTamariki #ClaireAchmad #AroturukiTamariki #WhānauOra #TinoRangatiratanga #ChildProtection #MāoriWellbeing #IwiLeadership #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews
New Zealand’s Children’s Commissioner is calling for urgent action to better protect the rights of mokopuna Māori, following the release of a major report showing Māori children remain disproportionately represented throughout the State care and youth justice systems.
Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says the findings contained in the latest report from Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor should serve as a wake-up call for government agencies and policymakers.
The report, Outcomes for Tamariki and Rangatahi Māori and Their Whānau 2024/25, found Māori children and young people continue to experience significant inequities across every stage of the Oranga Tamariki system despite years of reform efforts.
While the majority of Māori children have no involvement with Oranga Tamariki, the report found that Māori continue to be overrepresented in reports of concern, state care, police proceedings and youth justice custody.
For Dr Achmad, the findings reinforce concerns that too many opportunities are being missed to support whānau before children enter the system.
The Children’s Commissioner says the strongest outcomes are often achieved when children remain connected to their whānau, hapū and iwi.
She argues that preventing children from entering state care in the first place should remain a central goal of the wider care and protection system.
The report identifies several examples where iwi and hapū are already leading successful initiatives that support children within their communities and reduce the need for state intervention.
These programmes often focus on whānau-centred approaches, cultural connection and early intervention, helping address challenges before they escalate into more serious issues.
Dr Achmad says these initiatives demonstrate what can be achieved when Māori communities are empowered to lead solutions for their own people.
A key theme emerging from the report is the importance of strengthening relationships between Oranga Tamariki and Māori.
The report highlights opportunities for deeper partnerships with iwi and hapū, many of whom have developed innovative approaches to care, protection and youth justice that are already delivering positive outcomes.
Across Aotearoa, iwi organisations have increasingly taken responsibility for supporting vulnerable whānau, often combining tikanga Māori, local knowledge and community relationships in ways that mainstream services struggle to replicate.
The Commissioner says genuine and enduring partnerships are essential if the system is to improve outcomes for mokopuna Māori and reduce the disparities that continue to persist.
While much of the focus is on prevention, Dr Achmad also stresses that when children do enter state care, the Crown has a responsibility to fully uphold their rights.
The report found significant disparities remain in areas such as education, health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori children involved with Oranga Tamariki.
These findings have renewed concerns about whether the system is delivering the support children need once they enter care.
The Commissioner says the State must be accountable to whānau, hapū and iwi for how it fulfils its obligations to children placed in its care.
For many Māori advocates, the issue is not simply about protecting children from harm but ensuring they remain connected to their whakapapa, culture and identity throughout their time in care.
Dr Achmad also emphasised the importance of listening directly to young people who have experienced state care.
She says care-experienced rangatahi Māori continue to provide valuable insights into what works, what does not, and what changes are needed to create a more effective system.
Many young people have spoken about the importance of feeling understood, supported and connected to their whānau and whakapapa while navigating the care system.
Advocates say those voices should play a greater role in shaping future policy and practice.
The report suggests that incorporating the experiences of rangatahi Māori could help improve outcomes for future generations and ensure services are better aligned with the realities young people face.
The release of the report comes amid growing national debate about the future direction of child welfare policy and the role of Māori-led solutions within the care and protection system.
Recent findings from Aroturuki Tamariki revealed that one in four Māori children who came to the attention of Oranga Tamariki had already been the subject of ten or more reports of concern before meaningful intervention occurred.
For many observers, this reflects a system that continues to respond too late rather than investing sufficiently in prevention and whānau support.
The Children’s Commissioner says the latest report provides further evidence that meaningful change remains urgently needed.
As government agencies consider the report’s recommendations, Māori leaders and child advocates are calling for stronger investment in prevention, earlier intervention and iwi-led services that keep children connected to their whānau and communities.
For Dr Claire Achmad, the message is clear: the rights, wellbeing and futures of mokopuna Māori must remain at the centre of every decision made by the care and protection system.
The challenge now is whether the wider Oranga Tamariki system can move beyond identifying the problems and begin delivering the transformational change that Māori children, young people and whānau have long been calling for.
