The children's minister has launched a kaupapa in Kaitāia today - handing decision-making powers back to iwi.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Minister for Children Kelvin Davis (Ngāti Manu) said the Te Atatū strategy put Māori (Te Kahu Oranga Whānau collective) at the centre, and Oranga Tamariki in a support role, in the Te Hiku area, and similar approaches would soon be taken nationwide.
"We want to prevent children having to go into care in the first place. But if children do need to be uplifted and put into the care of another whānau, then iwi and the providers, they'll be the ones making those decisions and Oranga Tamariki's role is just to support those decisions."
He acknowledged iwi services needed better funding and resourcing to meet new demands.
"I'm not confident that they have the resources. And that's also a part of the changes that are going to be happening with Oranga Tamariki," Davis said.
"There's a substantial amount of money that is spread across providers all around the country, the vast majority of children, close to 70 percent of children in state care are Māori. And yet Māori providers get probably only about 30 percent of the funding. That's not an equitable outcome."
Change was on the way, he said. "We'll be looking to make sure that over time as we transition fully into the new way of working, that the resources will follow."
Te Kahu Oranga Whānau includes Waitomo Papakāinga Development Trust, Te Whare Ruruhau O Meri, Te Rūnanga o te Rarawa and Tuhiata Mahi Ora.
Minister for Children Kelvin Davis Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Iwi service staff were well-trained and prepared for new responsibilities, Davis said.
"The providers up here have been doing the work for years now, they're just now being given the okay."
Nearly a year ago, the Oranga Tamariki Ministerial Advisory Board made 25 recommendations to fix the child care and protection system.
Davis said he received "regular updates on the progress" of completing the recommendations.
"Some things have been completed, some things are on track, some things have been delayed slightly. But, by and large, we're on track to meet our three to five-year deadline."