5. RAHUI KATENE (Māori Party—Te Tai Tonga) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
Does she agree with American Humane in 2007 that the Children, Young Persons, and their Families Act 1989 created world-renowned progressive social policy and the opportunity for system transformation in both child welfare and youth justice; if so, why is she challenging the “whānau first” rule as reported in the New Zealand Herald?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
Yes, we do have a good overall child welfare and youth justice system. However, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of child homicide in the OECD. In the last year 75 children under 2 were assaulted and admitted to hospital. Almost 1,800 children are re-abused within 6 months. The reasons are complex and contentious, but that does not mean we will ignore those problems.
Does the Minister agree that the child has a right to its family and that the whānau, the family, has the right to, and the responsibility for, its children, and, in the knowledge that children are also abused in placements with strangers, why is she not compelling her department to go through the tribal authorities to identify suitable families to take care of their own?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
What I am doing is being very careful about making any assumptions about what is the best care for those children once they are placed with families. I have asked the department to go back to investigate what the results have been for those children. At the moment, through the family group conference process, whānau and families are heavily involved. I support that wholeheartedly. We should have the conversation to check that we are getting it right as much as we possibly can.
How will this policy turnabout affect the whānau ora policy, which is a flagship policy of this Government?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
It will be taken into consideration in any changes that may be proposed, but that is a long way down the track.