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Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Report On Outcomes For Tamariki And Rangatahi Māori In The Oranga Tamariki System – A Story Of Consequence
Press Release – Aroturuki Tamariki Aroturuki Tamariki Chief Executive Arran Jones says the report is a story of consequence of needs not addressed by a system that is not always able to work together to get the right support in place at the right time. In the first of a new annual report series – Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system – Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children's Monitor found tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) Māori and their whānau are over-represented in the oranga tamariki system and the system is letting them down. While Oranga Tamariki has a pivotal role, the system includes NZ Police and the Ministries of Health, Education and Social Development. Most tamariki and rangatahi Māori have no involvement in the oranga tamariki system. But when they do, there are increasing levels of over-representation – almost 50 percent of reports of concern made to Oranga Tamariki are about tamariki and rangatahi Māori, they make up two-thirds of those in care, and more than three quarters of those in youth justice custody. Aroturuki Tamariki Chief Executive Arran Jones says the report is a story of consequence – of needs not addressed by a system that is not always able to work together to get the right support in place at the right time. 'The needs of tamariki and rangatahi then multiply as they escalate through the system,' Mr Jones said. Data shows 92 percent of rangatahi referred to a youth justice family group conference in 2023/24 had concerns raised about their safety and wellbeing when they were younger. 'Tamariki and rangatahi come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki because someone has raised concerns about alleged abuse, or their wellbeing. This is the moment to get the right services and supports in place so tamariki and rangatahi don't escalate through the system,' says Mr Jones Escalation through the system can eventually mean involvement with the Police – and Police data shows a difference in the severity of proceedings against tamariki and rangatahi Māori in 2023/24: tamariki Māori aged 10–13 are less likely to be referred to alternative action or given a warning and more likely to be prosecuted or referred to a youth justice FGC than others rangatahi Māori aged 14–17 are less likely to get a warning or be referred to alternative action and more likely to be prosecuted than others. The outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori currently involved with the oranga tamariki system are less positive than those for Māori with no involvement. In 2022, tamariki and rangatahi Māori: in care or custody, achieved education qualifications at almost half the rate of Māori with no involvement in the oranga tamariki system, were significantly more likely to be hospitalised for self-harm than those with no involvement in care, used mental health and addiction services at nearly five times the rate of Māori with no involvement. Rangatahi Māori in youth justice custody used these at 15 times the rate – 60 percent of rangatahi Māori in youth justice custody used mental health and addiction services. Considering 92 percent of these rangatahi had reports of concern made about their safety and wellbeing when they were younger, this is no surprise. 'The outcomes for young Māori adults, aged 27–30, who were involved in the oranga tamariki system as children are sobering. The data paints a stark picture of the consequence of the oranga tamariki system not doing more to help. Māori adults who had been in the system as children are less likely to be employed, less likely to have a driver licence, more likely to be on a benefit, more likely to be in emergency housing, and more likely to be hospitalised for self-harm than Māori who had no involvement. Mortality rates are double or triple those of Māori with no involvement in the oranga tamariki system for vehicle accidents and for self-harm (including suicide),' says Mr Jones. The report also identifies the importance of breaking the cycle. For Māori parents (aged 27–30 years) who had previously been in care themselves, 68 percent have children involved with Oranga Tamariki in some way and one in eight have had one or more children in care at some point. 'This report highlights initiatives and ways of working that provide a pathway ahead for all government agencies. Working with tamariki and rangatahi alongside their whānau, building trusted long-term relationships, looking outside of organisational silos to understand their wider needs and providing services across government and community agencies. To paraphrase one of the providers we heard from, this is where the magic happens,' says Mr Jones. The initiatives highlighted in the report include a statutory youth justice delegation from Oranga Tamariki to Whakapai Hauora by Rangitāne o Manawatū. Whakapai Hauora provides wraparound support to rangatahi Māori who have offended, reporting only one referral proceeding to a court order. Some rangatahi who have completed programmes have returned as mentors and one rangatahi is now employed by the retailer he offended against. In Auckland, Kotahi te Whakaaro, brings together government and non-government organisations. It works alongside whānau to support tamariki and rangatahi who have offended, to prevent further offending. They look across housing, schooling, health and financial challenges and put supports in place. We heard about significant reductions in reoffending, with one rangatahi telling us 'I think stealing is just an idiot move now'. In Porirua, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira has built a strong relationship with Oranga Tamariki. They reported that a combination of early intervention initiatives for whānau who come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki has resulted in a 21 percent reduction in renotifications (reports of concern) – to the lowest rate in Porirua in four years. 'Before tamariki and rangatahi come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki they will have been seen by education and health staff and the parents may be known to social housing and welfare. It should not take offending, or an incident of abuse or neglect to get the support that was always needed,' says Mr Jones. For this report, we looked at the performance under the Oranga Tamariki Act – this Act places specific obligations on Police and Oranga Tamariki. It is clear there are opportunities to do better and this report highlights some of those. 'Data shows that tamariki and rangatahi Māori in the system today have similar hopes and aspirations for their future as those not in system. As one rangatahi we met with told us they'd 'just like to grow up successful and, if I find the right person, to give my kids what I couldn't have',' Mr Jones said. Read the report on our website Aroturuki Tamariki – the Independent Children's Monitor checks that organisations supporting and working with tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, are meeting their needs, delivering services effectively, and improving outcomes. We monitor compliance with the Oranga Tamariki Act and the associated regulations, including the National Care Standards. We also look at how the wider system (such as early intervention) is supporting tamariki and rangatahi under the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act. Aroturuki Tamariki works closely with its partners in the oversight system, Mana Mokopuna – Children and Young People's Commission, and the Office of the Ombudsman.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Report On Outcomes For Tamariki And Rangatahi Māori In The Oranga Tamariki System – A Story Of Consequence
Press Release – Aroturuki Tamariki In the first of a new annual report series – Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system – Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children's Monitor found tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) Māori and their whānau are over-represented in the oranga tamariki system and the system is letting them down. While Oranga Tamariki has a pivotal role, the system includes NZ Police and the Ministries of Health, Education and Social Development. Most tamariki and rangatahi Māori have no involvement in the oranga tamariki system. But when they do, there are increasing levels of over-representation – almost 50 percent of reports of concern made to Oranga Tamariki are about tamariki and rangatahi Māori, they make up two-thirds of those in care, and more than three quarters of those in youth justice custody. Aroturuki Tamariki Chief Executive Arran Jones says the report is a story of consequence – of needs not addressed by a system that is not always able to work together to get the right support in place at the right time. 'The needs of tamariki and rangatahi then multiply as they escalate through the system,' Mr Jones said. Data shows 92 percent of rangatahi referred to a youth justice family group conference in 2023/24 had concerns raised about their safety and wellbeing when they were younger. 'Tamariki and rangatahi come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki because someone has raised concerns about alleged abuse, or their wellbeing. This is the moment to get the right services and supports in place so tamariki and rangatahi don't escalate through the system,' says Mr Jones Escalation through the system can eventually mean involvement with the Police – and Police data shows a difference in the severity of proceedings against tamariki and rangatahi Māori in 2023/24: tamariki Māori aged 10–13 are less likely to be referred to alternative action or given a warning and more likely to be prosecuted or referred to a youth justice FGC than others rangatahi Māori aged 14–17 are less likely to get a warning or be referred to alternative action and more likely to be prosecuted than others. The outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori currently involved with the oranga tamariki system are less positive than those for Māori with no involvement. In 2022, tamariki and rangatahi Māori: in care or custody, achieved education qualifications at almost half the rate of Māori with no involvement in the oranga tamariki system, were significantly more likely to be hospitalised for self-harm than those with no involvement in care, used mental health and addiction services at nearly five times the rate of Māori with no involvement. Rangatahi Māori in youth justice custody used these at 15 times the rate – 60 percent of rangatahi Māori in youth justice custody used mental health and addiction services. Considering 92 percent of these rangatahi had reports of concern made about their safety and wellbeing when they were younger, this is no surprise. 'The outcomes for young Māori adults, aged 27–30, who were involved in the oranga tamariki system as children are sobering. The data paints a stark picture of the consequence of the oranga tamariki system not doing more to help. Māori adults who had been in the system as children are less likely to be employed, less likely to have a driver licence, more likely to be on a benefit, more likely to be in emergency housing, and more likely to be hospitalised for self-harm than Māori who had no involvement. Mortality rates are double or triple those of Māori with no involvement in the oranga tamariki system for vehicle accidents and for self-harm (including suicide),' says Mr Jones. The report also identifies the importance of breaking the cycle. For Māori parents (aged 27–30 years) who had previously been in care themselves, 68 percent have children involved with Oranga Tamariki in some way and one in eight have had one or more children in care at some point. 'This report highlights initiatives and ways of working that provide a pathway ahead for all government agencies. Working with tamariki and rangatahi alongside their whānau, building trusted long-term relationships, looking outside of organisational silos to understand their wider needs and providing services across government and community agencies. To paraphrase one of the providers we heard from, this is where the magic happens,' says Mr Jones. The initiatives highlighted in the report include a statutory youth justice delegation from Oranga Tamariki to Whakapai Hauora by Rangitāne o Manawatū. Whakapai Hauora provides wraparound support to rangatahi Māori who have offended, reporting only one referral proceeding to a court order. Some rangatahi who have completed programmes have returned as mentors and one rangatahi is now employed by the retailer he offended against. In Auckland, Kotahi te Whakaaro, brings together government and non-government organisations. It works alongside whānau to support tamariki and rangatahi who have offended, to prevent further offending. They look across housing, schooling, health and financial challenges and put supports in place. We heard about significant reductions in reoffending, with one rangatahi telling us 'I think stealing is just an idiot move now'. In Porirua, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira has built a strong relationship with Oranga Tamariki. They reported that a combination of early intervention initiatives for whānau who come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki has resulted in a 21 percent reduction in renotifications (reports of concern) – to the lowest rate in Porirua in four years. 'Before tamariki and rangatahi come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki they will have been seen by education and health staff and the parents may be known to social housing and welfare. It should not take offending, or an incident of abuse or neglect to get the support that was always needed,' says Mr Jones. For this report, we looked at the performance under the Oranga Tamariki Act – this Act places specific obligations on Police and Oranga Tamariki. It is clear there are opportunities to do better and this report highlights some of those. 'Data shows that tamariki and rangatahi Māori in the system today have similar hopes and aspirations for their future as those not in system. As one rangatahi we met with told us they'd 'just like to grow up successful and, if I find the right person, to give my kids what I couldn't have',' Mr Jones said. Read the report on our website Aroturuki Tamariki – the Independent Children's Monitor checks that organisations supporting and working with tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, are meeting their needs, delivering services effectively, and improving outcomes. We monitor compliance with the Oranga Tamariki Act and the associated regulations, including the National Care Standards. We also look at how the wider system (such as early intervention) is supporting tamariki and rangatahi under the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act. Aroturuki Tamariki works closely with its partners in the oversight system, Mana Mokopuna – Children and Young People's Commission, and the Office of the Ombudsman.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Oranga Tamariki report finds stark outcomes for Māori in state care system
Independent Children's Monitor chief executive Arran Jones said the report was a "story of consequence" and of needs not addressed Photo: RNZ The Independent Children's Monitor has found Māori children in the Oranga Tamariki system are overrepresented and being let down; and the outcomes for Māori adults involved in the system when they were younger "paint a stark picture", with higher mortality rates over time than those not involved. Those same adults who had experience in custody or in care were nine times more likely to have used emergency housing as an adult and half as likely to be in employment, Children's Monitor chief executive Arran Jones said. He said the report was a "story of consequence" and of needs not addressed by a system that could not always get the right support in place at the right time. "The needs of tamariki and rangatahi then multiply as they escalate through the system." The inaugural report in a new annual series, focused on whether the system was delivering outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori, looked at the period between 1 July 2023, to 30 June 2024. What this report did, compared to the usual monitoring of Oranga Tamariki operational activities, was "lifting up and looking at outcomes in terms of the life course for young people and their experiences", Jones said. The report emphasised that most young Māori had no involvement in the Oranga Tamariki system. Jones said this context was important because narratives can "get away on us." A third of those aged between zero and 18 in New Zealand were Māori - around 330,000 young people. In the 2023/24 reporting year: But when young Māori are involved in the system, "there are increasing levels of over-representations" Jones said. The report stated the over-representation of Māori at every level within the care and protection system was a "clear indicator the system is not performing". Around half of the reports of concern made to Oranga Tamariki were about tamariki and rangatahi Māori, the report showed. They also made up two-thirds of young people in state care, and more than three-quarters of those in youth justice custody. In 2022, young Māori in care or custody achieved education qualifications at almost half the rate of Māori with no involvement in the system; those in the Oranga Tamariki system were significantly more likely to be hospitalised for self-harm than those not; those in care used mental health and addiction services at nearly five times the rate of those not involved, and rangatahi Māori in youth justice custody used those services at 15 times the rate. "Considering 92 percent of these rangatahi had reports of concern made about their safety and wellbeing when they were younger, this is no surprise," said Jones. When it came to involvement with the police, data showed a difference in the severity of proceedings against tamariki and rangatahi Māori in 2023/24: Jones said the further these young people went into care, the worse their short- and long-term outcomes. For older Māori between 27 and 30 who had been through the care and protection system, the report said their outcomes were "sobering". "The data paints a stark picture of the consequence of the Oranga Tamariki system not doing more to help." "Māori adults who had been in the system as children are less likely to be employed, less likely to have a driver licence, more likely to be on a benefit, more likely to be in emergency housing, and more likely to be hospitalised for self-harm than Māori who had no involvement. "Mortality rates are double or triple those of Māori with no involvement in the Oranga Tamariki system for vehicle accidents and for self-harm (including suicide)." Jones said 10 in 1000 of those young Māori will have taken their own lives by the age of 27 to 30. And for Māori parents between 27 and 30 who had previously been in care themselves, 68 percent had children involved with Oranga Tamariki in some way and one in eight have had one or more children in care at some point. It acknowledged some progress was being made, but "barriers" remained. Improving outcomes would require tough decisions on where to prioritise services and sharing power and funding, it said. ACT MP and Children's Minister Karen Chhour. Photo: NZME / Mark Mitchell Other key findings: The focus to date for the Independent Children's Monitor had been the experiences of young people in state care, but it was mandated to look at the whole Oranga Tamariki system, including youth justice and intervention services. "Our legislation requires that we also do an annual report on outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whanau for the very reason that they are over represented in the system," Jones said. He acknowledged some of this data had been reported about young people generally, but this was the first time a lot of it had been focused on young people with experience in the system. He said what was important was the extent of the disparity and outcomes. The report looked at the aspirations of those in the system, and found those were not "that much different from all children in New Zealand", Jones said. "They all want to aspire, to be healthy and happy, to have jobs, to be well-educated and to have children that they can keep safe and secure and go on [and live] happy lives." The report showed that was not happening, he said, and made a strong case for investing early before the impact of what brought them to Oranga Tamariki's attention multiplied as they went through the system. He acknowledged Oranga Tamariki had made progress in terms of frameworks and approaches to work better with tamariki Māori and their whānau, but there were operational barriers that remained preventing staff from working in the way they wanted. The report also pointed to changes in funding and contracts impacting on relationships or the ability to maintain a trusted relationship. Jones said he had heard from families, providers and Oranga Tamariki's own staff about the cuts to funding and services making it harder for them to get the help that young people need. "That's a message that's come through clearly." Jones acknowledged Oranga Tamariki could not control the reports of concern that come to the agency, but once it became aware, "it's about what level of investment is made right across the system to support these families so things don't escalate, and hopefully that young people can go on and lead good lives". He stressed the finding that 92 percent of young Māori involved in the youth justice system had concerns raised about their safety and wellbeing when they were younger, and said there was opportunity for the system to prevent some of the later behaviours that led to offending if the right support was put in place at an early stage. "It creates this decision to be made about whether you build more ambulances at the bottom of the cliff and you deal with the harm that results, both to young people but also to communities, or whether there's an opportunity to invest much earlier." The report highlighted various partnerships with iwi as positive examples of intervention, particularly in the space of youth justice. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The report highlighted various partnerships with iwi as positive examples of intervention, particularly in the space of youth justice. It described Oranga Tamariki delegating powers and functions to Best Care (Whakapai Hauora) Charitable Trust - a subsidiary of the iwi authority for Rangitāne o Manawatū - since 2020, allowing for a youth justice social worker in this particular role. The report said Whakapai Hauora worked to prevent rangatahi from reoffending. The Trust could facilitate FGCs, as well as engage rangatahi involved in youth justice in a range of initiatives. These included Mana Wahine (life skills for female rangatahi who have offended), Mana Taiohi (restorative FGC plans) and Whakapai te Waka (where rangatahi work to pay for their reparations). Other wraparound services included gym visits or community-based clinical support for mental health issues and alcohol and drug use. Many of the programmes were run in groups, with whānau included, which the Children's Monitor heard were more successful than conventional approaches and led to better outcomes. The report said it was hard to measure the impact of different approaches, but Oranga Tamariki said one marker of success for the youth justice delegation in Rangitāne was that for many years only one rangatahi referred to Whakapai Hauora had been proceeded to a court order. Another example it gave was that some rangatahi who had completed youth justice programmes with Whakapai Hauora had returned as mentors. It also described the case of a young man who had committed retail crime, but was now employed by the company he had stolen from. "This transformation is the result of the Whakapai Hauora whakaoranga process, where all parties met to hold the tāne accountable for his offending. "We heard that this was made possible by "the aunties" who build and maintain strong community relationships and work in a te ao Māori way that meets the requirements of the Oranga Tamariki Act and Oranga Tamariki practice standards." Wayne Blissett, executive director at Whakapai Hauora, told RNZ the devolution of those powers meant they carried on with the statutory obligations but were able to do so in a way that allowed "culture and meaning to be delivered in a conducive environment to healing and change". "The opportunity for whanāu to take the chance for change is a lot more conducive in an environment which is supportive, acknowledging, and I think fair." He said when those processes were delivered in a "mana-enhancing" way, it empowered whānau to make positive choices about some of the changes they wanted to make. He referenced the example of the young man gaining employment where he had offended, saying when the victim saw the opportunity to be a part of the solution and work with the person that offended against them "that's pretty amazing". Blissett believed the best way of improving outcomes for young Māori overall was to prevent them coming into care in the first place, which required earlier intervention and assessment, building communities, "as well as getting in sooner, better, faster, to create a wraparound support for whānau". "Some of the challenges at the moment is that we're focusing on the individual, I don't like the word, but perpetrator, as opposed to looking at the whole whānau system, and what's created this environment." He said the cycle had to be broken, and to do that required real opportunities with real solutions in a realistic setting for whānau. "If we just keep working with the young people in isolation, we're not actually creating the chance for the whole whānau to break out of the cycle." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Report On Outcomes For Tamariki And Rangatahi Māori In The Oranga Tamariki System – A Story Of Consequence
In the first of a new annual report series – Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system – Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children's Monitor found tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) Māori and their whānau are over-represented in the oranga tamariki system and the system is letting them down. While Oranga Tamariki has a pivotal role, the system includes NZ Police and the Ministries of Health, Education and Social Development. Most tamariki and rangatahi Māori have no involvement in the oranga tamariki system. But when they do, there are increasing levels of over-representation – almost 50 percent of reports of concern made to Oranga Tamariki are about tamariki and rangatahi Māori, they make up two-thirds of those in care, and more than three quarters of those in youth justice custody. Aroturuki Tamariki Chief Executive Arran Jones says the report is a story of consequence – of needs not addressed by a system that is not always able to work together to get the right support in place at the right time. 'The needs of tamariki and rangatahi then multiply as they escalate through the system,' Mr Jones said. Data shows 92 percent of rangatahi referred to a youth justice family group conference in 2023/24 had concerns raised about their safety and wellbeing when they were younger. 'Tamariki and rangatahi come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki because someone has raised concerns about alleged abuse, or their wellbeing. This is the moment to get the right services and supports in place so tamariki and rangatahi don't escalate through the system,' says Mr Jones Escalation through the system can eventually mean involvement with the Police – and Police data shows a difference in the severity of proceedings against tamariki and rangatahi Māori in 2023/24: tamariki Māori aged 10–13 are less likely to be referred to alternative action or given a warning and more likely to be prosecuted or referred to a youth justice FGC than others rangatahi Māori aged 14–17 are less likely to get a warning or be referred to alternative action and more likely to be prosecuted than others. The outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori currently involved with the oranga tamariki system are less positive than those for Māori with no involvement. In 2022, tamariki and rangatahi Māori: in care or custody, achieved education qualifications at almost half the rate of Māori with no involvement in the oranga tamariki system, were significantly more likely to be hospitalised for self-harm than those with no involvement in care, used mental health and addiction services at nearly five times the rate of Māori with no involvement. Rangatahi Māori in youth justice custody used these at 15 times the rate – 60 percent of rangatahi Māori in youth justice custody used mental health and addiction services. Considering 92 percent of these rangatahi had reports of concern made about their safety and wellbeing when they were younger, this is no surprise. 'The outcomes for young Māori adults, aged 27–30, who were involved in the oranga tamariki system as children are sobering. The data paints a stark picture of the consequence of the oranga tamariki system not doing more to help. Māori adults who had been in the system as children are less likely to be employed, less likely to have a driver licence, more likely to be on a benefit, more likely to be in emergency housing, and more likely to be hospitalised for self-harm than Māori who had no involvement. Mortality rates are double or triple those of Māori with no involvement in the oranga tamariki system for vehicle accidents and for self-harm (including suicide),' says Mr Jones. The report also identifies the importance of breaking the cycle. For Māori parents (aged 27–30 years) who had previously been in care themselves, 68 percent have children involved with Oranga Tamariki in some way and one in eight have had one or more children in care at some point. 'This report highlights initiatives and ways of working that provide a pathway ahead for all government agencies. Working with tamariki and rangatahi alongside their whānau, building trusted long-term relationships, looking outside of organisational silos to understand their wider needs and providing services across government and community agencies. To paraphrase one of the providers we heard from, this is where the magic happens,' says Mr Jones. The initiatives highlighted in the report include a statutory youth justice delegation from Oranga Tamariki to Whakapai Hauora by Rangitāne o Manawatū. Whakapai Hauora provides wraparound support to rangatahi Māori who have offended, reporting only one referral proceeding to a court order. Some rangatahi who have completed programmes have returned as mentors and one rangatahi is now employed by the retailer he offended against. In Auckland, Kotahi te Whakaaro, brings together government and non-government organisations. It works alongside whānau to support tamariki and rangatahi who have offended, to prevent further offending. They look across housing, schooling, health and financial challenges and put supports in place. We heard about significant reductions in reoffending, with one rangatahi telling us 'I think stealing is just an idiot move now'. In Porirua, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira has built a strong relationship with Oranga Tamariki. They reported that a combination of early intervention initiatives for whānau who come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki has resulted in a 21 percent reduction in renotifications (reports of concern) – to the lowest rate in Porirua in four years. 'Before tamariki and rangatahi come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki they will have been seen by education and health staff and the parents may be known to social housing and welfare. It should not take offending, or an incident of abuse or neglect to get the support that was always needed,' says Mr Jones. For this report, we looked at the performance under the Oranga Tamariki Act – this Act places specific obligations on Police and Oranga Tamariki. It is clear there are opportunities to do better and this report highlights some of those. 'Data shows that tamariki and rangatahi Māori in the system today have similar hopes and aspirations for their future as those not in system. As one rangatahi we met with told us they'd 'just like to grow up successful and, if I find the right person, to give my kids what I couldn't have',' Mr Jones said. Read the report on our website Aroturuki Tamariki – the Independent Children's Monitor checks that organisations supporting and working with tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, are meeting their needs, delivering services effectively, and improving outcomes. We monitor compliance with the Oranga Tamariki Act and the associated regulations, including the National Care Standards. We also look at how the wider system (such as early intervention) is supporting tamariki and rangatahi under the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act. Aroturuki Tamariki works closely with its partners in the oversight system, Mana Mokopuna – Children and Young People's Commission, and the Office of the Ombudsman.
