8523 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

8523 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: Were the recently proposed job cuts and "new organisational structure" planned for when Oranga Tamariki began its transformation project in 2021, and if not, what analysis has led to the decision to propose them now?

Hon Karen Chhour: I am advised that a key component and workstream of the Transformation Programme was the development of a new operating model for Oranga Tamariki. It was always the intention that the organisation structure would be reviewed and adapted to align with the new operating model and strategy to enable Oranga Tamariki to achieve the outcomes set out in these documents. Work on the operating model commenced in September 2023 and the Operating Model was officially launched in late February 2024. The main driver for the proposed organisational structure is the operating model, however cost savings were also a consideration in the design of the proposed structure.