Official Information Request – Detailed Statistics on Reasons for Missing Children Under 16
Yasir Shaikh made this Official Information request to Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children
Currently waiting for a response from Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).
From: Yasir Shaikh
Dear Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children,
Subject: Official Information Request – Detailed Statistics on Reasons for Missing Children Under 16
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information regarding children under the age of 16 reported missing in New Zealand over the past five years (from 2020 to 2024):
1. Annual Statistics:
Total number of children under 16 reported missing each year.
Breakdown by age groups (e.g., 0–4, 5–9, 10–13, 14–15).
Breakdown by gender.
2. Categorized Reasons for Disappearance:
Number of cases attributed to each of the following categories:
Exposure to parental substance abuse (e.g., drugs, alcohol).
Family violence or domestic abuse.
Neglect or inadequate supervision.
Family separation or custody disputes.
Other specified reasons (please detail).
3. State Care Involvement:
Number of missing children who were in the care or custody of Oranga Tamariki at the time of disappearance.
Breakdown of reasons for disappearance among children in state care.
4. Recovery Data:
Number of children recovered each year.
Average duration of absence before recovery.
Number of cases remaining unresolved each year.
5. Preventative Measures and Protocols:
Description of current protocols and procedures followed when a child is reported missing.
Preventative measures in place to reduce the incidence of missing children.
Support services provided to recovered children and their families.
Please provide the information in electronic format. If any part of my request is unclear or requires refinement, I am happy to discuss further.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours faithfully,
Yasir Shaikh
From: OIA Requests (OT)
Tēnā koe
Thank you for your email to the Oranga Tamariki Official Information Act
request inbox.
The Ministerial Services team will respond to you as soon as possible.
Please note: This inbox is monitored 8am – 4pm, Monday to Friday
(excluding Public Holidays).
Nāku noa, nā
Ministerial Services
PO Box 546, Wellington 6140
🖂 E: [1]OIA [email address]
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From: OIA Requests (OT)
Tçnâ koe Ysiar,
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request for information about
Detailed statistics on the reasons for missing children under 16 under the
[1]Official Information Act 1982.
We will endeavour to respond to you as soon as possible, and in any case,
no later than 6^th June 2025, being 20 working days from our receipt of
your request on 8th May 2025, as provided for under the Act.
If we are unable to respond to your request within those 20 working days,
we will notify you of an extension to that timeframe.
Your reference number is: OIA-CE-2025-02925
Nâku noa, nâ
Ministerial Services
PO Box 546, Wellington 6140
* E: [2]OIA [email address]
[3]Text Description automatically generated
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From: OIA Requests (OT)
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Tçnâ koe Yasir,
Please find attached correspondence about your request.
Nâku noa, nâ
Ministerial Services
PO Box 546, Wellington 6140
* E: [1]OIA [email address]
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From: Ministerial Services
Tçnâ koe Yasir
I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act (OIA) request below, partially transferred to NZ Police by Oranga Tamariki on 13 May 2025.
The transferred request is as follows:
“1. Annual Statistics
a. Total number of children under 16 reported missing each year.
b. Breakdown by age groups (e.g., 0–4, 5–9, 10–13, 14–15).
c. Breakdown by gender.
2. Categorized Reasons for Disappearance
a. Number of cases attributed to each of the following categories:
i. Exposure to parental substance abuse (e.g., drugs, alcohol).
ii. Family violence or domestic abuse.
iii. Neglect or inadequate supervision.
iv. Family separation or custody disputes.
v. Other specified reasons (please detail).
4. Recovery Data
a. Number of children recovered each year.
b. Average duration of absence before recovery.
c. Number of cases remaining unresolved each year.
5. Preventative Measures and Protocols
a. Description of current protocols and procedures followed when a child is reported missing.
b. Preventative measures in place to reduce the incidence of missing children.
c. Support services provided to recovered children and their families.”
You can expect a response to your request on or before 11 June 2025 unless an extension is needed.
Kind regards
Siena (she/her)
Advisor - Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters
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