Today marks one year since the Government’s formal apology to survivors of abuse in state care. On that day, words were spoken that recognised the harm done, acknowledged the suffering that was endured, and promised change.

The Green Party has launched an open letter calling on the Minister of Children to adopt seven promises to children in state care. 

A new report, ‘Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system 2023/24,’ has confirmed that Oranga Tamariki is severely failing our most vulnerable Māori youth. 

Today’s report into last year’s Oranga Tamariki contract procurement process confirms the Government’s brutal cuts were rushed, poorly managed, and made with no concern for the impact on tamariki.

Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology.

For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place.

The Minister for Children Karen Chhour’s pledge that cuts to Oranga Tamariki would not impact frontline services has been broken.

The Government must do all it can to bring abuse in care to an end following the release of the independent inquiry. 

Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. 

The Green Party calls on the Government to get serious about supporting families.