Oranga Tamariki Improves Child Safety with 97% Timely Visits and Better Support

The latest data from Oranga Tamariki has shown significant improvement in performance against vital targets, leading to safer children and communities.

Minister for Children Karen Chhour has refocused Oranga Tamariki on what matters most, the care and protection of children.

This commonsense approach is bearing fruit, with Oranga Tamariki making strong progress against Ministerial and Government priorities in Quarter One.

97% of children in care were visited by a social worker within the targeted time, demonstrating strong engagement and a focus on understanding the needs of children and young people.

The National Care Standards (NCS) lead performance indicators are also now showing improvement with compliance against caregiver support plans rising by 8% in this Quarter alone.

There has also been both a large reduction in children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour since June 2024 and a 14% reduction in children in State care residences being harmed.

Young people are turning their lives around and being kept safer while doing so.

This is not mission accomplished, I also acknowledge there is still room for improvement.

Historically high reports of concern show that the public are stepping up and speaking out when they see concerning behaviours, which is hugely important and I thank everyone who comes forward, but it has made responding to these reports within a gold standard timeframe more challenging.

Responding to this challenge will take more social workers, better case management technology, and a singular focus on the wellbeing of young people above all else.

This is why we have invested $68m in new case management technology which will free up social workers to spend more time supporting young people and less time behind a desk.

We’ve recruited twice the number of social workers compared to the number of social workers who left Oranga Tamariki in the last financial year. We’ve also invested in greater professional supports and training.

There are still not enough supported accommodation places available to young people. Addressing this will take multiple government agencies working better together, something my colleagues and I are committed to achieving.

Our children’s system is complex, and while in Opposition I was clear that Oranga Tamariki was not focused properly, with too many children falling between the cracks.

I am committed to fixing this, it is my sole reason for entering politics and remain focused on child protection above all else.

This latest data shows, while there is still work to be done, we’re moving in the right direction, says Minister Chhour.