5243 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

5243 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: What, if any, are the elements that the Oranga Tamariki Military-Style Academy pilot evaluation demonstrated need to be built into all Oranga Tamariki's programmes and residences that are about reducing offending for young people?

Hon Karen Chhour: I am advised by Oranga Tamariki the Military-Style Academy Pilot evaluation demonstrated the importance of comprehensive assessment of underlying causes of offending behaviour and other unmet needs to respond in a targeted way. The evaluation’s findings about the Military-Style Academy Pilot workforce highlight that a workforce including clinically qualified staff with skills in trauma-responsive care is beneficial for young people in youth justice residences. Oranga Tamariki received investment through Budget 2025 for the Professionalisation of the Residential Care Workforce initiative which is already seeking to build these elements into all residences. I am further advised the evaluation showed that young people engaged well with the highly structured programme in the Military-Style Academy Pilot residential phase, which taught key life skills such as budgeting, cooking and meal preparation, home maintenance and building career readiness. Quality programming for all residences is also a priority for Oranga Tamariki.