4010 (2026). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

Written Question

Published date: 27 Feb 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	4010 (2026)
Question asked:	11 Feb 2026
Member asking:	Dr Tracey McLellan
Portfolio:	Minister of Corrections
Minister replying:	Hon Mark Mitchell
Answer received:	23 Feb 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_04010_2026
Document guid:	52f98b9a-4547-42d5-abbd-b9a19293c781

4010 (2026). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: Since 1 January 2024, how many reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki have been made by Corrections staff relating to dependent children of people in custody or under community supervision?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that Corrections’ Child Protection Policy requires staff to make a report of concern any time they have concerns for a child. A secure application (REFER Online) is the preferred mechanism to send the reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki. Since 1 January 2024, 1,518 reports of concern have been sent via the REFER Online application. I am further advised that Corrections staff can also report their concerns by phone or a direct email to Oranga Tamariki. However, Corrections does not centrally collate the number of reports of concern made this way as they will be held on individual files.