News
News, stories, and updates about Oranga Tamariki and our partners.
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Having grown up in care, Angel Brown always knew she wanted to support future generations of young people when life becomes difficult.
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It began as a passion project when she was 9 years old, but since then Auckland teenager Klara Collett has collected more than 10,000 Christmas presents for children in care.
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Every child deserves a safe, loving home. For Catherine Dalton, becoming an Oranga Tamariki caregiver was a way to make a difference for tamariki and rangatahi in care.
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Oranga Tamariki has released an independent evaluation report of the Military-Style Academy Pilot, which ran from July 2024 to July 2025.
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When Lindsay Yeo traded in his job in the education sector to work at Te Au rere a te Tonga youth justice residence in Palmerston North, he wasn’t sure what to expect.
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Oranga Tamariki is proud to share that our Chief Legal Officer, Emily Hockly, has been selected to join the Legislation Design and Advisory Committee.
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Kahn Fotuali’i and Justin Va’a work in our secure residences. Prior to their current careers, they were professional rugby players.
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We have released our 2024/25 Annual Report. Read about the progress we've made and how we plan to keep improving the work we do.
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One of the most important skills to have when working with young people is the ability to connect.
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A group of West Auckland teenagers are giving back to their community. They're planting more than 200 native trees as part of a youth justice pilot programme.
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In our secure youth residences, sport not only promotes physical and mental health benefits, but it teaches the young people important values, like resilience.
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Our secure youth residences have an impressive line-up of former athletes working in various roles.
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It takes a village to raise a child, especially when it comes those who open their hearts and their homes to tamariki in need.
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Shining a light on Taurus - 1 of 14 Prime Minister's Oranga Tamariki Awards winners in 2025. Awards recognise excellence, and come with a scholarship to further skills, talents or aspirations.
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Working as a social worker after growing up in and out of the care system feels like a full circle moment for Vanessa Graham. This is 2 of 2 staff stories we're sharing for Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day.
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Read about recently qualified Social Worker and wahine Māori, Jean Milne. This is 1 of 2 staff stories we're sharing for Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day.
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It’s raining and driving conditions are challenging. A car skids around a corner, but the driver manages to get it back under control.
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A marae-based programme blending internationally renowned Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and mātauranga Māori is achieving positive results in the Bay of Plenty.
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A forklift might seem a little out of place in a youth justice residence, but at Te Au rere a te Tonga it serves an important purpose.
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In June, we met with community leaders to celebrate the redevelopment of our practice model, Va’aifetū. This work has ensured Pacific knowledge, values and approaches are embedded in the model’s heart.
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It is the end of our 12-month Military-Style Academy pilot with 8 participants having completed the program. Read our statement on the end the pilot and on some of its impact and outcomes.
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Meet 2 of the 14 young people who received at the 2025 Prime Minister's Oranga Tamariki awards. Awards recognise excellence, and come with a scholarship to further skills, talents or aspirations.
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Discover the Ōtautahi’s Fast Track tepu - a group of government agencies and community workers who can turn tables for local rangatahi.
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In June 2025, we welcomed the new members of our fourth Youth Advisory Group (YAG) with a mihi whakatau and morning tea at the Oranga Tamariki National Office in Wellington.
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Staff and students at Epuni Care and Protection Residence celebrate Matariki and the end of another school term at a Kudos event.
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A young person has been withdrawn from our Military-Style Academy programme. Read our statement from Acting Deputy Chief Executive Iain Chapman.
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A group of care-experienced rangatahi have gathered in Wellington to celebrate something special – themselves.
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A young man in the Hawkes Bay credits the help of social services, including support from Oranga Tamariki, in helping him to build a more positive future.
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Rain lashed down as 8 young people gathered to pull a fire truck - the final physical challenge of the youth justice residence pilot programme, Mana Motuhake.
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In June we will host the Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Awards (PMOTA), which celebrates a major milestone for care-experienced young people.
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Our statement on an independent evaluation of the early community phase of the Military-Style Academy pilot.
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Our response to the first annual report on outcomes for Māori tamariki, rangatahi and whānau - released on 11 June 2025 by Aroturuki Tamariki Independent Children’s Monitor.
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Read about a specialist team from the perspective of a youth judge and legal advocate.
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Read our statement on the findings of the Auditor-General's inquiry into our procurement and contract management processes during 2024 and 2025.
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The Military Style Academy pilot has completed half of its community phase. Read our statement from Acting Deputy Chief Executive Iain Chapman on this milestone, and our practice opinion of 1 absconding event.
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We held 2 consultations on our Long-Term Insights Briefing for 2025. Submissions are now closed and we are preparing the final briefing using your feedback.
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Read our statement from Acting Chief Executive Andrew Bridgman on the Aroturuki Tamariki–Independent Children’s Monitor Experiences of Care in Aotearoa annual report 2023-2024.
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Read our statement from Deputy Chief Executive Iain Chapman on the independent evaluation of the Military-Style Academy pilot's residential stage.
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We want to make sure our caregiving whānau have the support they need to meet the needs of tamariki and rangatahi in their care so that they can heal and thrive.
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Priscilla McEwan’s emotional, challenging but rewarding journey to finding biological family.
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Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa and WelTec team up again following successful Try-a-Trade programme
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On 12 November 2024 the Government delivered a national apology to survivors of abuse in state care.
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Cindy Thom from Blenheim was 1 of 10 caregivers awarded at the Excellence in Foster Care event on Friday 7 March 2025. Open to any New Zealander caring for a child not born to them, awards were given to 7 Oranga Tamariki caregivers.
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Chief Executives of six public service agencies charged with the wellbeing of children commissioned a review by Dame Karen Poutasi, in recognition that Malachi Subecz was let down by the system that should have protected him.
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The Royal Commission’s final report – (Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light) – has been presented to Parliament and published on the Royal Commission’s website
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Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc and its health and wellbeing advisory group Te Tumu Whakahaere o Te Wero (Te Wero), with support from Oranga Tamariki, are proud to announce the launch of a new Te Ara Mātua support services hub in Heretaunga. This Kahungunu-led in…
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The Government is committed to addressing child and youth offending and has set a target of reducing serious, repeat offending by 15%.
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In a new initiative, the Taupō Quiltmakers have partnered with Oranga Tamariki Taupō site to create personalised quilts for local children in care.
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Ngaire began her caregiving journey in 2006 as an emergency caregiver, until she got a phone call from a social worker that said they are looking for a caregiver for a baby. Ngaire instantly responded “of course we will take them in”, and this baby has be…
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International Social Services (ISS) will celebrate 100 years providing assistance to children and families experiencing complex social challenges as a result of migration.
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How young people are being supported by social workers
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Oranga Tamariki Caregiver Recruitment and Support, Adoption and Care & Protection kaimahi gathered at Grey Lynn site on Wednesday 15 May to thank and farewell one of their caregiving whānau.
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The National Contact Centre (NCC) provides a 24/7 service and receives over 200,000 (calls and e-mails) per year.
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Hear from Social Worker Numia Korewha to find out what it's like to be a social worker.
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A jointly published guide to advocacy, monitoring and complaints is now available for rangatahi, tamariki and whānau.
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A recipient of an Excellence in Foster Care Award in 2024, Maxine shares her experiences and what drove her to become a caregiver.
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Riki Ngakoti was welcomed to Oranga Tamariki in Whangārei with a pōwhiri. Riki will be starting his new role as Community Kairaranga.
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Based at Hoani Waititi marae, Whiti ki te Ora is a cultural programme supporting rangatahi to heal.
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Enabling Communities is the centrepiece for the decentralising of Oranga Tamariki functions into the community.
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Today, Oranga Tamariki, Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa, and Eastern Bay of Plenty Iwi Provider Alliance launched Te Pūkāea o te Waiora, a tikanga-focused and community-led contact centre in Whakatāne.
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Caregiver Recruitment and Support Manager Priscilla McEwan has her own personal journey and explains why in this video:
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"To say we are proud is an understatement and even more so we are super proud of the kaimahi who supported them".
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Caregiver Awareness Week, also known as Foster Care Awareness Week, is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank caregivers for all that they do, supporting tamariki and rangatahi when they need it most.
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Since the signing of their Strategic Partnership agreement in 2022, Te Whānau o Waipareira and Oranga Tamariki have been working closer together for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau in need.
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Johnnie and Kerrie and the role of kairaranga ā-whānau at Oranga Tamariki.
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At the end of January 2024, kaimahi from Oranga Tamariki sites across Te Whanganui-a-Tara took part in a community event, Te Rā o te Raukura. Despite heavy rain in the morning, the event went ahead and our teams enjoyed being a part of the day of fun and…
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MEDIA STATEMENT: Oranga Tamariki is today releasing our fifth annual Safety of Children in Care (SOCIC) report and our first annual self-assessment of our compliance with the National Care Standards. Oranga Tamariki takes our responsibility to be accounta…
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The Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Awards acknowledge the talents, achievements and enormous potential of rangatahi. They are an investment in their future.
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This year Oranga Tamariki and Te Hā o Maru have partnered to provide social services for the local community in Moeraki, Oamaru. They are starting to see positive results from their work together.
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Extending its urgent, integrated response to youth crime already in place in parts of Aotearoa, the successful Fast Track intervention is being expanded to Whangārei and Rotorua.
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Media statement - Oranga Tamariki Secure Residences & a Sample of Community Homes - Independent, External Rapid Review.
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Māori, Partnerships and Communities, Deputy Chief Executive Darrin Haimona was invited to speak at the Aboriginal Children's Forum, which promotes the safety, health and resilience of vulnerable Aboriginal tamariki and rangatahi.
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Through the Oranga Tamariki Action Plan, Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Education are working together to better support care experienced tamariki and rangatahi needs at school.
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Around 40 Pacific Community Providers and leaders from across Ōtautahi were welcomed onto Ngā Hau e Whā National marae for an inaugural Pacific Fono.
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Media release from Chappie Te Kani, Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki. Oranga Tamariki takes action following serious allegations involving staff acting inappropriately in residences.
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Making Ourselves Visible is a report commissioned by Oranga Tamariki on the experiences of takatāpui and rainbow rangatahi in care, delivered by a community design team of researchers, counsellors, rainbow advocates, and care-experienced rainbow rangatahi…
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Geoff is an Oranga Tamariki social worker at Haumaru Ōrite, the acute mental health unit for children and adolescents at Starship Hospital in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. It’s a unique role, and one he feels privileged to work in.
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As the first clinical nurse specialist working alongside Oranga Tamariki in South Auckland, Fonoifafo (Fono) McFarland-Seumanu has a big job on her hands.
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The government has announced that more children who have offended, and their whānau will receive additional support.
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Meet Tobias. He’s a school prefect, dancer, pianist, and performer, with big dreams for the future.
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A new Ngāti Kahungunu-led plan was launched at Waipatu Marae, that will improve and transform the way tamariki and whānau in Te Matau ā Māui are supported through early intervention to limit whānau involvement with Oranga Tamariki.
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Juliette Pineda is a therapist for Oranga Tamariki at Puawaitahi, Auckland. She works with tamariki to help them heal from trauma with the help of Yazzy, a trained therapy dog.
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Oranga Tamariki | Ministry for Children has published an in-depth report about the mental health and wellbeing needs of children within the Oranga Tamariki system. The report comes as part of the Oranga Tamariki Action Plan, a cross agency effort to impro…
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Oranga Rangatahi is an iwi-led youth justice prevention programme in Ōpōtiki, Bay of Plenty. Rangi Williams and Karl Severinsen both work in the programme.
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This week is Caregiver Awareness Week – a chance to acknowledge and celebrate caregiving whānau across Aotearoa for everything they do for those in their care. We spoke to one of our whānau caregivers about the experience he and his partner share in carin…
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Knowing they have somewhere safe to go is the top priority for young people transitioning to independence after time in care or youth justice – they now have more options as a result of 3 agencies working together and increasing their support.
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This week is Caregiver Awareness Week (Monday 6 March to Sunday 12 March), and Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive Chappie Te Kani is recognising caregiving whānau across Aoteroa – and encouraging New Zealanders to join him in saying, 'Thank you for the…
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The United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of the Child has acknowledged the New Zealand Government’s commitment to upholding and furthering the rights of tamariki and rangatahi in New Zealand.
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A karakia was held in Manurewa in December 2022 to officially open Whare Ngaakau Nui, a new purpose-built home for tamariki and rangatahi with high complex, special needs and specialist treatment.
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Oranga Tamariki Disability Advisory Group member, Hannah Watson, talks about her journey to graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work and the people who inspired her.
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On 7 December, 25 recipients of the 2022 Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Awards travelled from around Aotearoa to Wellington to have their achievements acknowledged over a special two-day celebration.
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The Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Awards were held in the first week of December to celebrate the achievements and potential of care-experienced rangatahi.
We got to know one of our award winners for this year, Zeus Greening. -
Media statement from Chappie Te Kani, Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki. Oranga Tamariki pledges action in Malachi’s memory.
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A joint chief executive media statement in relation to Malachi Subecz and his whānau. Changes agreed to following independent cross-agency child abuse review.
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Dame Karen Poutasi's report in relation to Malachi Subecz and his whānau was commissioned by six government agencies.
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A multi-agency team in Waikato are hoping to raise awareness, connectedness and increase information sharing around FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder).
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Oranga Tamariki welcomes 6 members of its first ever Disability Advisory Group with a mihi whakatau.
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For National Social Workers’ Day we catch up with disability advocate, PhD candidate, and mother of four, Racheal Priestley as she talks about bringing her experience of raising three autistic children to her social work practice.
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'It’s an honour to do this work, and to have such amazing colleagues' Oranga Tamariki social worker, Veronica Jiang says of her last five years working in the Adoptions team.
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In this story, we hear from Renee Porter, a Care and Protection Social Worker at Oranga Tamariki Rotorua site.
Published: March 29, 2021 · Updated: March 29, 2021