Māori communities must be part of the solution to tamariki in State care

Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox says any long-term solutions to addressing the horrifying reality for children in State care must involve whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori communities.

“Six out of the 10 tamariki in State care are Māori so it’s critical the State works with Māori communities to reduce the number of tamariki needing State care as well as doing a much better job of caring for them if they do end up in the system.”

The Social Development Minister released an Expert Panel report on the care of vulnerable children in State Care recommending radical change. The report says that the number of children needing State care has dropped in recent years but the number of tamariki re-entering the system has increased.

Mrs Fox says she’d like to see programmes like Mātua Whāngai reinstated to recognise the importance of tamariki remaining within the wider whānau rather than becoming orphans of the State.

She says the report underestimates the importance of whakapapa and the bonds that tie a child to their whānau.

While the report recommends greater support for State caregivers it does not address the issue of supporting whānau.

“It should come as no surprise that tamariki are often re-abused by whānau if there is no support offered to whānau while their tamariki are in State care. We need to provide urgent support for these whānau otherwise a child will continue to be put at risk.”

Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says the recent Productivity Commission report confirmed that the social services sector is not reaching vulnerable whānau, however, approaches like Whānau Ora are making a positive difference.

“While this report talks about transformation change in the State care of tamariki we need to address the root of the problem which is the wellbeing of whānau.

“Give a family the tools that they need to ensure they can support a child. We’ve seen the positive effects of a Whānau Ora approach and the importance of early intervention”, he says.

ENDS

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