VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai says a new report highlighting the ongoing overrepresentation of tamariki and rangatahi Māori throughout the Oranga Tamariki system should be a catalyst for urgent action rather than further discussion.
The report, Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the Oranga Tamariki system 2024/25, released today by Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor, found tamariki and rangatahi Māori remain disproportionately represented at every stage of the system and are more likely to experience poorer outcomes than both non-Māori and Māori who have never been involved with Oranga Tamariki.
VOYCE Chief Executive Tracie Shipton says the findings are deeply concerning but not surprising.
“The reality is that tamariki Māori are disproportionately represented across the entire Oranga Tamariki system, and the disparity becomes even more pronounced the deeper into the system they go.”
“What this report shows is that too many tamariki Māori are not receiving the right support at the earliest opportunity. When concerns are identified, the response needs to be swift, effective and centred on the needs of the child and their whānau. Right now, that is not consistently happening.”
The report found many tamariki and rangatahi Māori experience multiple reports of concern before receiving the support they need, with one quarter having 10 or more previous reports of concern.
Shipton says the findings reinforce what young people with care experience have been saying for years.
“We know what works. Young people, whānau, iwi and community organisations have been telling us for a long time that earlier intervention, stronger relationships and culturally grounded support make a difference.”
“It is heartening to see the report highlight successful iwi-led initiatives and local prototypes that are achieving positive outcomes. There are great things happening in pockets across the country.”
Shipton says the challenge now is ensuring these approaches aren’t treated as exceptions.
“They need to be systematically supported, resourced and replicated so that all tamariki and rangatahi can benefit, regardless of where they live.”
Care experienced rangatahi Kat Wright is shocked but not surprised by the statistics out of the report.
“Imagine my daughter crying for me 10 times and no one listening. I don’t want kids in care to feel like a statistic – they are extremely important. How much better could the statistics be if Māori got the support they need.”
As a young Māori wahine she says it’s incredibly powerful to be raised in Māori spaces.
“The most connected I felt was at a group home because the caregiver was Māori and I didn’t feel alone. She was the only caregiver that had higher expectations of me as a Māori. When Oranga Tamariki asked me what I wanted, I said I wanted to stay where I felt most connected. They didn’t listen and moved me anyway.”
Moving forward, Shipton says there is no shortage of evidence about the changes required.
“The solutions are known. What young people need now is urgency of action.”
“Tamariki are growing up in this system today. They do not have the luxury of waiting for the wheels of bureaucracy to catch up. Every year that passes without meaningful change is another year where children miss out on the support, stability and opportunities they deserve.”
VOYCE is now calling on decision-makers to accelerate the extra investment from this year’s budget into Oranga Tamariki, strengthen iwi and community-led responses, and ensure the voices of tamariki and rangatahi remain at the centre of reforms.
“When young people tell us what they need, we need to listen and act. The cost of delay is being paid by children right now.”
ABOUT VOYCE:
We are VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, which stands for Voices of the Young and Care Experienced – Listen to me. Established in 2017, we are an independent charity organisation that helps to advocate for the approximately 6000 children with care experience (children in foster or whanau care) in New Zealand.
We exist to amplify the voices of these children and ensure that they are heard – so as to positively influence their individual care and to collectively affect change in the wider care system. VOYCE was co-designed by children with care experience for children with care experience.