Report release: Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system 2024/25

Today we published the second report in our annual series – Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system. 

Our report found tamariki and rangatahi Māori (Māori children and young people) continue to have unmet care and protection needs which contribute to their over-representation in the oranga tamariki system.

While most Māori have no involvement with Oranga Tamariki, data in this report shows that despite being only one quarter (27 percent) of the youth population, tamariki and rangatahi Māori are over-represented in every part of the oranga tamariki system.

• 57 percent of reports of concern were for tamariki and rangatahi Māori.
• 68 percent of tamariki and rangatahi in care are Māori.
• 59 percent of police proceedings against those aged 10–18 were for Māori.
• 80 percent of tamariki and rangatahi in youth justice custody are Māori.

There are high numbers of repeated reports of concern

Most tamariki and rangatahi Māori who had a report of concern made about their safety or wellbeing in the last year had a previous report of concern made and one quarter had 10 or more. Critical and very urgent reports of concern for tamariki and rangatahi Māori also have less timely responses from Oranga Tamariki.

If the front door to the child protection system was working as needed, the right support would be provided at the earliest opportunity. There would be a reduction in renotifications, and tamariki Māori would not unnecessarily escalate through the care and youth justice system because of unmet need.

Unmet care and protection concerns are associated with youth offending

The consequence of unmet care and protection needs is evident in the data about rangatahi Māori in youth justice. We found:

• 95 percent of rangatahi Māori involved in youth justice had a report of concern made about their safety or wellbeing when they were younger
• half had more than 10 reports of concern made about their safety or wellbeing
• more than half had never even had a care and protection family group conference – fundamental to putting a plan in place to address the safety or wellbeing concerns.

A lot of resource – and attention – goes into dealing with the offending behaviour. A greater focus on addressing care and protection needs earlier may reduce the need for youth justice responses in the future.

Even in the care system, there are disparities in outcomes for Māori compared to non-Māori

If in care, tamariki and rangatahi Māori are more likely to be in care longer than non-Māori and less likely to be visited regularly by their social worker.

The outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori known to Oranga Tamariki are worse on almost every measure than Māori not known to Oranga Tamariki – and worse than non-Māori who are.

This includes school attendance, health, employment, holding a driver licence and using emergency housing. Māori who have never been involved with Oranga Tamariki hold a driver licence at about the same rate as non-Māori, yet inside the oranga tamariki system they do not.

The solutions are not new but faster change is needed

The solutions to closing these gaps have been talked about for decades. These include an investment approach, commissioning models that allow for greater flexibility, and iwi, Māori and community-led solutions where government takes a supporting rather than leading role.

Our report profiles iwi-led initiatives that are showing success. These local partnerships with Oranga Tamariki show the way forward. However, faster change is needed if we are to see a reduction in disparities and in intergenerational involvement in the oranga tamariki system for tamariki and rangatahi Māori.

I encourage you to read our report.

Arran Jones
Chief Executive