January 28, 2021
Survivors’ voices missing from Oranga Tamariki review
A survivor of abuse in state care says the new ministerial advisory board on Oranga Tamariki needs to include a survivor voice.
The board announced yesterday is made up of National Māori Authority chair Matthew Tukaki, Dame Naida Glavish, Tā Mark Solomon and former chief social worker Shannon Pakura.
Rawiri Waretini Karena says those who have gone through the system have got knowledge and experience that is needed in any reform.
He says the advisory board shouldn’t try to put a band aid over the same broken culture identified 30 years ago in the Pūao Te Ata Tū Report.
"Issues with the social Welfare Department, CYFS, Oranga Tamariki were highlighted even then. It's been a process of continual protection of the status quo," Dr Karena says.
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