24 April 2020
Mr Kingi Snelgar
[FYI request #12373 email] Tēnā koe Mr Snelgar
Thank you for your email of 3 March 2020 to Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children
(Oranga Tamariki), requesting the following information under the Official Information
Act 1982 (the Act):
•
I request all information and names of the programmes and services you fund or
deliver in the community with a specific Maori or Tikanga Maori focus under one
care and protection and two youth justice purposes.
•
What specific programmes are available under youth justice plans and orders, that
encompasses Tikanga Maori or Te Ao Maori for children and young people in the
youth court
•
How much of the oranga tamariki budget is dedicated to funding Maori specific
programmes? What percentage is that of the annual budget?
•
What MOUs or relationships are established between oranga tamariki and Marae,
Hapu, Iwi or other urban Maori authorities
•
Since s 7AA was enacted in July 2019, what changes if any have occurred to social
workers practises, social worker training, social report report writing to court and
what cultural training has occured
•
Since 7AA was enacted, what new initiatives or strategies are in place by OT to
reduce disparity between maori and non maori?
•
How much funding is allocated or available per youth offender in the youth court?
What determines what services might be suitable or available to a young person? Is
cost a primary consideration?
On 27 March 2020, you were advised that the timeframe for responding to your request
was being extended, in accordance with section 15A(1)(b) of the Act.
Oranga Tamariki is focused on building relationships with Māori across New Zealand so
we can meet the needs of tamariki Māori and whānau together. It is essential that we see
a genuine shift in outcomes for tamariki Māori and is also now a requirement under
section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. Section 7AA provides for a practical
commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi/te Tiriti o Waitangi by setting out our
responsibilities to improve outcomes for tamariki Māori and their whānau. Oranga
Tamariki is making a number of changes in line with section 7AA, as outlined in the
Oranga Tamariki Outcomes Framework. The Māori specific end goal as outlined in the
Outcomes Framework makes clear the intent of Oranga Tamariki to ensure tamariki
Māori thrive under the protection of whānau, hapū and iwi. Additional information on the
Outcomes Framework can be found on our website via the link below:
https://www.orangatamariki.govt.nz/about-us/outcomes-framework/
•
I request all information and names of the programmes and services you fund or
deliver in the community with a specific Maori or Tikanga Maori focus under one
care and protection and two youth justice purposes.
Please find listed separately below, Care and Protection and Youth Justice providers that
are funded by Oranga Tamariki to provide programmes and services delivered in the
community with a specific Māori and/or Tikanga Māori focus.
Care and Protection Providers
Provider Name
Service Type
Provider Service Description
Kotahitanga o Te Whānau is a kaupapa Māori,
trauma-informed, therapeutic programme with
Shared care provided
an extended whānau model of delivery that
by an Iwi Social
supports tamariki and rangatahi as they grow
Innov8 Group Limited
Services or Child and
and develop. It al ows the flexibility to ensure
Family Support Service their transition programmes are individual and
for Ministry referrals
relevant. The service is a combined residential
and transition service for tamariki and
rangatahi with high needs.
Shared care provided
Ngāti Ranginui provides Emergency
by an Iwi Social
Placements in Ngā Peka Tītoki with four bed
Ngāti Ranginui Iwi
Services or Child and
capacity; predominantly for, but not limited to,
Society Incorporated
Family Support Service Ngāti Ranginui and Māori high needs tamariki
for Ministry referrals
residing in Tauranga Moana.
Kaupapa Māori Care to Transition placements
Shared care provided
with four bed capacity for Care and Protection
Tuakiri Charitable
by an Iwi Social
rangatahi aged 13 to 17 years old, with
Trust T/A Te Toa
Services or Child and
consideration for dual status rangatahi. Al
Matataki
Family Support Service referrals are made by the Bay of Plenty
for Ministry referrals
Regional High Needs Hub. Placements are up
to six months or more.
Page 2 of 12
Youth Justice Providers
Provider Name
Service Type
Provider Service Description
Mahuru - Te Aranga o Te Ao Māori. Youth
Justice Remand One to One Service. A world
first, this programme is targeted at three to five
Shared care provided
tamariki at any one time of Ngāpuhi descent.
by an Iwi Social
Ngāpuhi Iwi Social
Primarily for tamariki subject to a 238(1)(d)
Services or Child and
Services Limited
custody order. With the support of the Youth
Family Support Service Court this model of care could be extended to
for Ministry referrals
tamariki subject to a 238 (1)(c) order, where
this order is made as an alternative to a tamaiti
being detained in custody under S 238(1)(d).
Tama Tū Tama Ora is a kaupapa Māori service
for rangatahi who are at risk of offending and
their whānau. The service aims to build trust,
develop personal discipline, increase social
Rangitāne O
Therapeutic Mentoring
and whānau responsibilities, promote positive
Wairarapa
Programmes for young social behaviour through skil -based learning.
Incorporated
offenders
The Youth Worker works alongside Police
Youth Aid; to assist in the preparation,
development, and implementation of
Alternative Action Plans leading to positive
outcomes for rangatahi.
A kaupapa Māori-based youth development
Services to implement
programme service for rangatahi, not
the whānau service
Te Hauora Rūnanga O
specifical y Māori, to implement their whānau
plans developed at or
Wairarapa
service plan. Delivered in a group or one-on-
after a Youth Justice
Incorporated
one setting by qualified workers through the
Family Group
values of whanaungatanga, rangatiratanga,
Conference
and manaakitanga.
Programmes for Māori youth at risk of
Community Youth
offending and disengaging from school.
Waitomo Papakāinga
Development,
Targeting Māori youth attending Intermediate
Development Society
Structured Activity
schools. Referral source is through Police,
Incorporated
Programmes for young Youth Justice and Care and Protection,
offenders
Education and whānau.
Services to implement
Programmes for Māori youth at risk of
the whānau service
offending and disengaging from school.
Waitomo Papakāinga
plans developed at or
Targeting Māori youth attending Intermediate
Development Society
after a Youth Justice
schools. Referral source is to be through
Incorporated
Family Group
Police, Youth Justice and Care and Protection,
Conference
Education and whānau.
•
What specific programmes are available under youth justice plans and orders, that
encompasses Tikanga Maori or Te Ao Maori for children and young people in the
youth court
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Youth Justice deliver a range of plans and orders that encompass Tikanga Māori and Te
Ao Māori for tamariki and rangatahi who offend and are before the youth court. This
includes the services and programmes from our Youth Justice providers that we listed
above. For every tamaiti and rangatahi in our youth justice system, Oranga Tamariki
develops an individual plan to support them to achieve their goals, maintain positive
community connections and build on skills to support them into adulthood. Oranga
Tamariki works with a wide range of agencies and organisations, including iwi and
community groups, to ensure that our rangatahi have a range of options and
opportunities.
•
How much of the oranga tamariki budget is dedicated to funding Maori specific
programmes? What percentage is that of the annual budget?
In the current financial year (as at 1 March 2020), the total funding Oranga Tamariki has
contracted with iwi and Māori organisations is $79.58 million or 23.3% of the total
funding that goes to third-party service providers (i.e. NGOs). This compares with $62.9
million in the 2018/19 financial year.
Within the total funding that goes to iwi and Māori organisations, $3.2 million can be
identified as going to programmes that have an explicit or specific Māori and/or Tikanga
Māori focus. This does not mean that other programmes being delivered by iwi and
Māori organisations are not Māori or Tikanga Māori focussed, it just means they have
not been explicitly described in that way.
In addition, there are other initiatives developed in partnership with, and tailored to, Māori
and iwi, for example we contract with a number of iwi to provide Family Group
Conference (FGC) coordination and specialist kairaranga roles. Oranga Tamariki also
continues to work with iwi and Māori to co-design our front-line services including sites,
residences, specialist homes, and intensive intervention initiatives.
•
What MOUs or relationships are established between oranga tamariki and Marae,
Hapu, Iwi or other urban Maori authorities
I have interpreted ‘relationships’ that are established between Oranga Tamariki and
marae, hapū, Iwi or other urban Māori authorities, to mean official written agreements
(excluding contracts). This includes official written agreements, Strategic Partnership
Agreements or Memoranda of Understanding that have been signed by the Chief
Executive or Deputy Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki or Child, Youth and Family. We
have excluded agreements signed at a local or regional level.
Strategic Partnership Agreements:
• Strategic Partnership Agreement between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and
Oranga Tamariki, dated 9 November 2018
• Strategic Partnership Agreement between Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi o Ngāpuhi and
Oranga Tamariki, dated 19 December 2018
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• Strategic Partnership Agreement between Waikato-Tainui and Oranga
Tamariki, dated 11 April 2019
• Matemateāone – Strategic Partnership Agreement between Ngāi Tūhoe – Te
Uru Taumatua and Oranga Tamariki, dated 22 August 2019
These strategic partnerships are focused on enhancing the wellbeing of tamariki from
those iwi. The agreements outline a mutual commitment to work together to co-design
and deliver services for tamariki and whānau. The relationships help us to understand
individual and shared opportunities to support the development, aspirations, and
outcomes of hapū, iwi and Māori communities. Discussions with other iwi and Māori
organisations are underway.
Memoranda of Understanding:
• Memorandum of Understanding between Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Porou and
Child, Youth and Family, dated July 2013
• Memorandum of Understanding between Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated
and Child, Youth and Family, dated 29 May 2014
• Memorandum of Understanding between Ngāti Tūwharetoa and the Taupō
Collective Impact Governance Group, dated 28 March 2018
• Memorandum of Understanding between Te Kahu Oranga Whānau and
Oranga Tamariki – Te Tai Tokerau, dated 10 December 2018
• Memorandum of Understanding between Te Rūnanga O Ōtākou, Kāti Huirapa
Rūnaka ki Puketeraki and Oranga Tamariki, dated 22 August 2019
• Memorandum of Understanding between the New Zealand Māori Council and
Oranga Tamariki, dated 30 November 2019
• Memorandum of Understanding between Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Toa Rangatira
and Oranga Tamariki
The purpose of these agreements is to establish, formalise, record and promote
collaborative working relationships that meet the respective needs, objectives and
aspirations of marae, hapū, iwi and Māori authorities and Oranga Tamariki.
In addition to our Strategic Partnership and Memorandum of Understanding agreements,
Oranga Tamariki has a Joint Service Delivery Plan with Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Porou, which
dates back to 2014, and a relationship agreement with Ngāti Rangi, negotiated as part of
their Treaty settlement redress. We also have a separate Portfolio Agreement to the
Social Development and Wellbeing Accord between Te Hiku o te Ika and the Crown.
Oranga Tamariki has worked with the Accord since 2013, when an initial agreement was
signed by the Ministry of Social Development. In February 2019, Oranga Tamariki
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became an independent partner with the signing of the ‘Te Hiku o Te Ika – Oranga
Tamariki Co-Governance Te Hiku Work Programme Agreement’.
•
Since s 7AA was enacted in July 2019, what changes if any have occurred to social
workers practises, social worker training, social report report writing to court and
what cultural training has occured
There have been a number of changes to social work practises, training, guidance for
reports and plans for the Court and around cultural competency. Some of the changes
were in place prior to July 2019 but are relevant as they were developed directly to
support the implementation of section 7AA. Please find these changes outlined in further
detail below.
Māori cultural framework
We have developed the Māori cultural framework to support all staff to better engage
and respond to our iwi and Māori partners and, whānau and tamariki that we work with. It
gives understanding and context to our decision making and will guide us to deepen our
understanding of key Māori values, practices, concepts and events that have impacted
Māori.
This framework is not exclusive to social work practice and can be utilised by all staff to
improve their cultural competency. A copy of the framework can be found at the
following link:
https://orangatamariki.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/Maori-Cultural-Framework-
A3.pdf
Māori specialist roles
A number of changes have been made to functions and roles within Oranga Tamariki
across operational and enabling functions to introduce specialist Māori knowledge and
expertise. This includes the establishment of new roles which provide specialist
functions for working with Māori within some Services for Children and Families regions
and sites.
One of these roles, the Kairaranga ā-whānau, is being implemented through New Zealand
and will have a significant impact on practising in a culturally informed way. Practitioners
will be assisted by the Kairaranga to build local cultural competency, assist with hui-a-
whānau and undertake extended whānau, hapū and iwi searching and research. They are
also particularly critical in our engagements with tamariki and whānau Māori by
enhancing their participation in decision making and building our relationships and
connections with iwi.
We have also created a new dedicated specialist Māori Practice Advice team. This team
advises on Māori-centred practice within Oranga Tamariki and supports teams to
understand how to re-orient their work towards supported Māori-centred practice.
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Guidance on working effectively with Māori
We have developed new and amended practice guidance for working effectively with
Māori and to give effect to section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. This guidance
helps practitioners to align with our mana tamaiti objectives and assists social workers
to strengthen the participation of whānau, hapū and iwi in decision making and planning
for tamariki Māori. This guidance includes sections related to the use of hui ā-whānau,
Kairaranga-ā-whānau, whānau searching and whakapapa research; practices we had in
place, but without explicit guidance for our practitioners. This guidance can be found
online on our Practice Centre via the link below:
https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/our-work/working-with-maori/how-to-work-
effectively-with-maori/practice-for-working-effectively-with-maori/.
Iwi led FGCs
Oranga Tamariki has strengthened our existing practice around FGCs, developing iwi-led
FGCs that are convened and facilitated by iwi-based FGC Co-ordinators. Oranga Tamariki
still make the referral, bring the information and resource the plan; however, the process
of engagement, facilitation, whānau support and plan development is entirely iwi led.
Early evaluation undertaken in collaboration with iwi has identified that the iwi led FGC
process has led to an improved whānau experience, greater participation by wider
whānau (and hapū and iwi), a deeper exploration of concerns and strengths and more
detailed and responsive plans.
Intake and early assessment
In March 2020, we implemented a new intake and early assessment model, which aims
to strengthen assessment and decision making from the point we receive the report of
concern through to forming a belief that a child is in need of care and protection and
holding an FGC. This model relies on early engagement with whānau, including the use of
a hui-a-whānau, to identify strengths and resources within that whānau to care for their
tamariki. This leads increased engagement at the earliest opportunity and supports
whānau to meet the needs of their tamariki, with support in place to address safety or
wellbeing concerns and without further intervention from Oranga Tamariki.
National Care Standards
The enactment of the National Care Standards at the same time as section 7AA led to
significant changes in social work practices. As the Standards were written with section
7AA in mind, many of these practice changes relate to section 7AA.
• We have strengthened our guidance around assessment and practice relating
to assessing the need for establishing, maintaining and strengthening
connections with family, whānau, hapū, and iwi. As well as other needs
relating to culture and belonging.
Page 7 of 12
• To build upon this assessment practice we have introduced the All About Me
plan, which requires we detail specifically how these connections will be
established, strengthened and maintained. This includes arrangements such
as supporting tamariki to visit their marae and how to enable whānau, hapū
and iwi to carry out their whanaungatanga responsibilities.
• We have also strengthened our practice around information sharing and
informed decision making, particularly sharing information with those
significant members of whānau, hapū and iwi with ensuring tamariki are
aware of their rights.
Please note further information on all of these changes can be found on the Oranga
Tamariki Practice Centre website.
Training for social workers
Since the enactment of section 7AA, social workers have undertaken the following
learning modules:
• understanding section 7AA: key objectives (video resource)
• explaining Mana Tamaiti objectives (A3 resource)
• Te Ao Māori: Concepts of Wellbeing (video resource)
• research articles centred around working with Maori for example: Restoring
Mana and taking care of Wairua
• understanding our Treaty obligations workshop and online forums
• Practice and the law (workshop that focuses on the purposes and principles
of the Oranga Tamariki Act to meet the objectives of Mana Tamaiti)
• Pataka learning drops led by Managers and practice leaders on site:
o March 2020: improving outcomes for tamariki Māori
o January 2020: understanding section 7AA
o September 2019: keeping tamariki together, engaging whānau, hapū
and iwi
o July 2019: connecting the dots, whakamana te tamaiti
In addition, some Oranga Tamariki sites have made connections with their local marae to
collaborate on cultural training enabling the learning to be more localised to the hau
kāinga in their areas.
A national approach to training is in the design phase. It will align to the direction of
travel by Oranga Tamariki, which promotes Māori centred practice. This will be rolled out
for all staff and leadership.
Legal report and plan writing
Social workers are required to write court plans and reports as part of care and
protection proceedings. These include social work plans prepared under section 128 of
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the Act, reviews of plans under section 135 and social work reports written under section
186.
Practice changes introduced on 1 July 2019, including those relating to section 7AA,
have informed the content of reports and plans prepared for the court. The reports and
plans are informed by documents such as the All About Me plan, which records and
tracks progress on family, whānau, hapū and iwi arrangements and support for cultural
identity.
Oranga Tamariki has updated instructional guidance and templates for social work
reports and plans prepared and written under sections 128, 135 and 186. This is to help
social workers effectively incorporate this information. These changes and
recommendations have been outlined below.
Section 128 plan:
• hapū/iwi/family group details (only family and whānau were previously
mentioned)
• support the tamaiti or rangatahi to participate in making the plan, express
their views about decisions affecting them, and be provided with information
about their rights and what they can expect
• whether tamariki and whānau had the opportunity for early participation in
decisions affecting them
• the steps taken to preserve the child or young person’s connections with their
parents, siblings, hapū, iwi, family group and wider connections
• how whānau, hapū and iwi are involved in whanaungatanga responsibilities
for their tamariki
• whānau connections and belonging
• culture and identity needs in areas that require support
• ways in which the cultural identity of tamariki Māori will be strengthened
Section 135 and 186 plan and report:
• whānau connections and belonging
• culture and identity needs in areas that require support
• the child or young person’s views, and any reasons they haven’t been followed
• the supports provided to caregivers to help tamariki in their care maintain
whānau connections and support their culture and identity
• the effect of any decision on the child or young person’s relationship with their
family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family group
• how Oranga Tamariki will respect and honour, on an ongoing basis, the
importance of the child or young person’s whakapapa, and the
whanaungatanga responsibilities of their family, whānau, hapū, iwi and family
group
Page 9 of 12
•
Since 7AA was enacted, what new initiatives or strategies are in place by OT to
reduce disparity between maori and non maori?
Oranga Tamariki is part way through a transformation that, among other things, aims to
reduce disparities for tamariki Māori and their whānau. There are a wide range of
initiatives underway at all levels of Oranga Tamariki, as highlighted above, others include:
• We are supporting the Child Wellbeing Unit and Whānau Ora Commissioning
Agency to co-design a range of potential early intervention supports for
whānau based on Whānau Ora methodologies.
• In development of an Intensive Intervention service we are working with mana
whenua and other Māori organisations to pilot services in four locat ions. We
are in early engagement with a further eight sites. The purpose of this service
is to reduce the risk of harm and prevent the need for entry or re-entry into
state care for children and young people identified as being at risk of harm.
• We have partnered with seven iwi and Māori organisations to establish
Whānau Care and are about to engage with a further six
organisations. Whānau Care supports iwi and Māori to take a lead role in
designing and delivering their own model of care to tamariki and whānau.
• We continue to work with our strategic partners to identify priority areas and
actions to deliver on those priorities. For example, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
have worked alongside the Christchurch East site to ensure that all tamariki
who need a placement and who whakapapa to Ngāi Tahu are cared for by
Ngāi Tahu.
• A new home, Te Awe, has been established in Lower Hutt to provide a safe
place for tamariki. The values of local mana whenua are honoured in the
home and tamariki are provided a structured rhythm to the day through
karakia, waiata, hui and kai. Whānau can maintain a connection with their
tamariki who are supported to connect with their whakapapa and special
sensory features help to reduce anxiety.
• We are working with Hoani Waititi Marae to develop a tikanga-based Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy programme for rangatahi Māori involved in Youth
Justice. Youth Justice is making a demonstrable difference to rangatahi
Māori and their whānau in Huntly through the Oranga Rangatahi programme
to prevent at risk youth from reoffending.
• Youth Justice continue to establish community remand homes to reduce the
need for Youth Justice Residences. Similar to the Mahuru remand home,
designed and delivered by Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services, Youth Justice are
seeking to support other iwi and Māori organisations to design and deliver
their own remand homes to provide wrap-around support for rangatahi and
their whānau.
Page 10 of 12
• We have worked closely with iwi and Māori organisations in the establishment
of the Transitions support service. Over 50% of the new service providers are
iwi or Māori organisations. This service provides support to young people
leaving or who have left care.
We have also developed Section 7AA Quality Assurance Standards for application in the
development of policies, practices and services. The standards are currently being
implemented into four business units primarily responsible for setting policies and
practice, designing new services, and commissioning services to be delivered by third
parties. A dedicated team within Oranga Tamariki is responsible for monitoring and
reporting publicly on how well the standards have been applied to policies and practices.
One of the five standards aim to ensure equity by reducing disparities for tamariki Māori
and their whānau. This standard requires that:
• existing disparities relevant to the work are identified;
• the proposed policy or practice aims to reduce or improve existing disparities;
and
• indicators of success over time for tamariki Māori and their whānau are
specified, to determine the impact of the policy, practice or service in future
evaluations.
Oranga Tamariki is also undertaking research to better understand the drivers behind
disparities for tamariki Māori and their whānau at key points across its system. This will
help to inform what needs to shift including potential changes to policy and practice.
•
How much funding is allocated or available per youth offender in the youth
court? What determines what services might be suitable or available to a young
person? Is cost a primary consideration?
The suitability of te tamaiti or rangatahi for a specific service is determined by way of
assessment, FGC recommendations and Youth Court plans and orders. We then seek the
most appropriate service to ensure that it meets the needs of that tamaiti or rangatahi.
Cost is not a primary consideration when determining what is the best and most suitable
service for our tamariki and rangatahi. The allocation of funding to individual tamariki
and rangatahi who offend and are before the Youth Court is recorded in the case notes of
individual files. In order to determine the allocation of funding per individual, we would
need to manually review, in detail, every file. As the information you have requested
cannot be made available without substantial collation or research, this aspect of your
request is refused under section 18(f) of the Act. I have considered imposing a charge or
extending the time for response however, I do not believe either would enable a response
and the greater public interest is in the effective conduct of public affairs.
Oranga Tamariki intends to make the information contained in this letter available to the
wider public shortly. We will do this by publishing this letter on our website. Your
personal details will be deleted and we will not publish any information that would
identify you as the person who requested the information.
Page 11 of 12
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[email address].
If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to ask an Ombudsman to
review
this
decision.
Information
about
this
is
available
at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by contacting them on 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Steve Groom
General Manager Public, Ministerial and Executive Services
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