3137 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister for Children

3137 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister for Children: Does Oranga Tamariki keep records of the average amount of children, if any, in a year who are overdue for allocation to a social worker?

Hon Karen Chhour: I am advised by Oranga Tamariki that averages can be calculated from recorded data. The rolling average number of children who were overdue for allocation to a social worker at the end of each month in 2023 was 1150, while average number in 2024 was 1274. As noted in my answer to WPQ 3130 (2025), Oranga Tamariki have measures in place to monitor cases that are yet to be allocated, including triaging unallocated cases for urgency, monitoring unallocated queues, and reaching out to notifiers (those who make a report of concern) to seek updates when needed.