Report release: Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system 2023/24
Today we published the first of a new annual report series – Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system. We found that 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.
The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act defines the oranga tamariki system as responsible for providing services and support to tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau under, or in connection with, the Oranga Tamariki Act. While the Oranga Tamariki Act places specific duties on Oranga Tamariki and NZ Police, the system includes the Ministries of Health, Education and Social Development (and others).
Tamariki and rangatahi in the system are those known to Oranga Tamariki – either via a report of concern for their safety or wellbeing (the care and protection pathway), or by an allegation that they committed an offence (the youth justice pathway).
This report is a story of consequence. Data shows that 92 percent of those referred for a youth justice family group conference had a report of concern made about their safety or wellbeing when they were younger. With unmet needs, tamariki and rangatahi are escalating through the system and the result is worse outcomes – in the short and long term.
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:
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in care or custody, achieved education qualifications at almost half the rate of Māori with no involvement
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in the oranga tamariki system, were significantly more likely to be hospitalised for self-harm than those with no involvement
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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. Of greatest concern is the mortality rate – we found 10 in 1,000 young Māori adults who had been in care or custody as children had taken their own lives by the age of 27–30. This is triple that of young Māori adults who were not involved in the oranga tamariki system.
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.
We also highlight initiatives and ways of working that provide a pathway ahead for all government agencies. This includes 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.
Arran Jones
Chief Executive
Nova Banaghan
Chief Monitor
Read the full report on our website
Read our media release
