11016 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

11016 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: What advice has the Minister received, if any, regarding the relationship between the size of Oranga Tamariki and outcomes for children in Oranga Tamariki's care?

Hon Karen Chhour: I have received advice that the proposed changes to the organisational structure of Oranga Tamariki was developed with the care and protection of children at its centre, with the proposed reductions and changes focused on reducing and streamlining the back office, keeping the roles of the frontline out of the scope for change as not to affect the services the Ministry provides on the ground to children, young people, and their families. I have been advised by officials that the proposed structure will enable the Ministry to devolve decision-making power and shifting resources to partners and communities. This will see the numbers of staff in National Office decreasing as decision-making shifts out from the centre into communities.