Ngāti Kahungunu has launched a new project to keep children out of Oranga Tamariki.
In 2019, Ngati Kahugungu Iwi (NKII) made a stance, “Not one more child” – meaning, not one more child would be taken into the Oranga Tamariki system without whānau intervention.
The Iwi invited whānau to share their stories and personal experiences with Oranga Tamariki and the wider system during a special hui at Waipatu Marae. It then developed Kōrero Mai Whānau – a report that was the undiluted voice of their whānau.
This was taken to government agencies and working alongside Oranga Tamariki, Te Ara Mātua’ was developed as a protoype and a new and improved way to support whānau through early intervention to lessen the need for whānau involvement with Oranga Tamariki.
This week NKII, with its health and wellbeing advisory group ‘Te Tumu Whakahaere o Te Wero’ (Te Wero), and Oranga Tamariki launched Te Ara Mātua, at Waipatu Marae. (Nine other similar protoypes are being developed around the country.)
Former iwi chairman and Waipatu marae kaumātua, Ngahiwi Tomoana, explained the phrase he coined back in 2019, “Not one more child will be taken into the system” and praised iwi leaders, the Te Wero team and Oranga Tamariki leaders for seeing a need and meeting that need. (Te Wero and Oranga Tamariki will continue to work together to design this new approach to keep whānau out of the system.)
NKII Chief Executive, Chrissie Hape said uppermost in her mind was ensuring solutions incorporate and uphold the aspirations and voices of our whānau as we implement the changes within this new design.
“I acknowledge Oranga Tamariki for seeing the need for change and being open to opportunities to improve the way we will do things together to enable a transition that will enhance the mana of our whānau.
“Our Te Wero health and wellbeing leaders are champions when it comes to our whānau and providing support. One of the changes is allowing whānau to champion their own changes by being involved in the design and roll out of the transition.”
Whānau Champions showed the Government Minister for Children, Kelvin Davis, and CEO at Oranga Tamariki, Chappie Te Kani, the Te Ara Mātua pathway design.
Chappie Te Kani said he wanted to acknowledge whānau who, under the korowai of Ngāti Kahungunu, opened up their hearts and minds to share how they experienced Oranga Tamariki.
“Your experiences have been fundamental to the development of Te Ara Mātua. I whole heartedly believe that other whānau will soon experience a very different journey thanks to you.”
Minister Davis said Ngāti Kahungunu whānau know what’s best for their mokopuna, but they have not had the power and resources needed to make decisions and respond to the needs of tamariki and whānau. “Te Ara Mātua changes this and sees the Crown sitting back and enabling communities.
“Te Ara Mātua is an important milestone in our organisational transformation. Te Ara Mātua is an example of how Oranga Tamariki is enabling hapū, iwi and communities to develop approaches that support tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.”
https://www.kahungunu.iwi.nz/te-ara-toiora
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