4233 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister for Children

4233 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister for Children: What, if anything, was the average number of children in 2021 who were overdue for allocation to a social worker?

Hon Karen Chhour: I am advised by Oranga Tamariki that the average number of children who were overdue for allocation to a social worker at the end of each month in 2021 was 747. 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.