Oranga Tamariki decisions need reversing before more harm is caused

The latest Oranga Tamariki revelation is simply unacceptable and risks further jeopardising already vulnerable children, warns the NZ Association of Counsellors (NZAC).

Recent funding and contract changes at Oranga Tamariki were put under the Auditor-General’s spotlight in a critical report.

The report found the restructuring of service provider contracts was not underpinned by sufficient evidence or a clear understanding of how changes would affect children and families.

NZAC President Sarah Maindonald says the findings reinforce concerns that a shift away from trusted, community-based support services could have lasting consequences for the wellbeing of tamariki and whānau.

“When decisions about funding and service delivery are made without meaningful engagement or evidence, the result ends up harming our most vulnerable,” Maindonald says.

“These decisions affect the stability of counselling services, the continuity of care for children, and the capacity of communities to respond early and effectively to distress.”

Earlier this year, it was revealed more than 1,000 at-risk children in Oranga Tamariki care are without an assigned social worker, a situation NZAC described as a “distress signal” for children’s wellbeing.

Maindonald says the cumulative effect of contract changes, reduced funding for early intervention, and an overstretched frontline risks embedding disadvantage.

“When contracts are restructured and relationships with established community providers are disrupted, it takes time, sometimes years, to rebuild trust and effectiveness. In the meantime, children go without support.”

NZAC is calling on the Government to take stock of the Auditor-General’s findings and work collaboratively with the social services and counselling sectors to strengthen the system, rather than fragment it.

“We urge the Government to revisit these changes and refocus investment on models that are evidence-based, whānau-centred, and built on trusted community partnerships,” Maindonald says.

“There is still time to restore confidence, protect continuity of care, and ensure that tamariki have the support they need.”