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More evidence Māori children continue to fall through the cracks of Oranga Tamariki
Independent Children’s Monitor Arran Jones speaks to Ryan Bridge about a new report on state care failures.
Latest from Oranga Tamariki
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Budget 2025: Every budget item in one interactive
Use the Herald interactive to explore Budget 2025.
Hunt for new Oranga Tamariki CEO yet to start seven weeks after resignation
Former CEO Chappie Te Kani took medical leave in September to undergo surgery.
Public feedback overwhelmingly negative to bootcamp bill, MPs recommend physical force safeguards
Providers will be able to use force against children as a last resort.
'Disruptive' change: Andy Coster’s new role in reshaping social sector funding
Andy Coster says his agency will not manage the new social investment fund for long.
The secret marriage that helped a couple defraud Oranga Tamariki out of $2m
No one knew about their marriage until after they'd conned the Government agency.
'Unacceptable': Another blistering report blasts Oranga Tamariki practices
'The effects of decisions on children and their families are still not known.'
Seven years after teen's murder, 16yo kidnap participant named
Dimetrius Pairama, 17, was tortured for hours before she was forced to hang herself.
Two by Twos: More people come forward to police with abuse allegations
Police say more people have reported allegations of sexual abuse within secretive church.
Two 12-year-olds referred to Youth Aid over tyre-slashing spree
Tyres were stabbed on several vehicles in the Rotorua CBD.
No OT social workers assigned to more than 1000 at-risk children
As at March 31, 2025, there were 1319 children overdue for allocation to a social worker.
Children being adopted overseas, trafficked to work in NZ
A 12-year-old boy was among them. He was put to work and assaulted.
No 'fundamental failures' with management of bootcamp youth who escaped tangi – review
Oranga Tamariki is also still refusing to provide details about alleged reoffending.
‘Treated like a dog’: 13-year-old girl trafficked and enslaved in NZ
She had 35 injuries, was underweight, with poor hygiene and head lice.
Why a human rights researcher never gave up on Lake Alice victims
Victor Boyd was recognised at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.
Five young people outstanding after escaping Oranga Tamariki centres
Police are searching for two more young people who fled a facility in Auckland overnight.
Six youths escape from Oranga Tamariki community remand homes
Police say three of the six have been found so far.
Oranga Tamariki chief executive resigns
Chappie Te Kani had been on medical leave since September.
Parents oppose girl’s cancer treatment, try to leave NZ as govt agencies intervene
The mother said she wanted to treat the girl with 'natural and spiritual' methods.
Long-running social services trust in liquidation owes IRD $200k
Te Tuinga Whānau once had assets and revenue worth millions of dollars.
New planning laws causing concern and New Zealand's meth use | NZ Herald News Update
Concerns over new planning laws' effect on the environment and annual wastewater review reveals a spike in New Zealand's methamphetamine use. Video / NZ Herald
Woman suffers more physical abuse after OT file shown to her child’s father
'Grievous' Oranga Tamariki privacy breaches have been exposed in a new report.
Soiled, neglected toddler found wandering streets, mother was ‘disconnected from reality’
The whānau was on Oranga Tamariki's radar long before the child went missing.
‘Undervalued’ social workers strike: ‘Who’s going to look after the kids?’
Seven week-strike planned after union says Oranga Tamariki offered members 0% pay rise.
Watchdog slams ‘grossly inadequate’ ruling on cop who used belt to ‘reset’ his kids
The officer said he used the belt when other methods of discipline failed.
Road workers stop alleged drunk driver with baby on board
Police have thanked the crew for their 'vigilant reporting'.
Oranga Tamariki stays quiet on bootcamp participant offending as first pilot review drops
The agency considers the review 'largely positive'.
Children’s Minister steps in to save funding for youth helpline
The Minister for Children halted Oranga Tamariki's funding cuts to a youth helpline.
'Abhorrent': Te Pāti Māori MP says minister doesn't understand 'essence of being Māori', Seymour responds
The Children's Minister faced sharp questions during a parliamentary select committee.
Opinion: We can reduce youth offending. Here’s how
OPINION: Nearly all young people who offend have experienced trauma.