Top-down, Wellington-led services failing whānau

Largest provider of services to Māori has called CYFs criticism a wake-up call for all government agencies – engage better with your communities or ‘devolve’ services to those who will.

Earlier this week out-going Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills slammed the government department in his annual State of Care report. In the report Dr Wills raised concerns around the quality of services currently being provided to children, the Māoritanga of services being delivered to a predominantly Māori client base, and their lack of engagement with the children they are funded to serve.

Te Pou Matakana Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says the report highlighted a common issue among many social service agencies, who are often hamstrung by a lack of connection to, or engagement with, the communities they serve, and who rarely work with their clients to co-design their services.

“Of the 60,000 children that will come through CYFs doors in the next 12 months, around 40,000 will be Maori. The Commissioner is right for his concerns [regarding CYFs] and our tamariki must be at the centre of care. ”

“Sadly our communities have become used to being ignored by these Wellington-led government agencies, and community groups such as Te Puea Marae and Te Pou Matakana partner providers, are filling the gaps and helping those who fall through the cracks in the failed ‘top-down’ social service model.”

Raukawa-Tait says to find agencies who are consumer-focused and successfully achieving results for vulnerable children and their communities, Dr Wills needs to only look to Whānau Ora.

“Whānau Ora providers have had real success in these communities with our tamariki, and their connections with their communities can be more greatly utilised and supported by Government.

“CYFs and Government Ministers need to show true leadership and ‘devolve’ these services from Wellington-focused Ministries, to people-focused community organisations, such as Te Pou Matakana, already leading support for these communities.”

ENDS

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