18551 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

18551 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: Further to 58970 (2025), how many young people commenced the second Oranga Tamariki Military-Style Academy in March and have any left since; if so, why?

Hon Karen Chhour: I am advised by Oranga Tamariki that ten young people commenced the second Military-Style Academy programme. In answer to the second part of the question, I acknowledge the interest in the second Military-Style Academy programme. I am also aware of the impact of the intense public scrutiny on these young people and their families and whānau. In considering the privacy and wellbeing of this small cohort of young people, I do not believe it is in the public interest to provide the information requested. In order to balance the public interest in this matter with the need to protect the privacy and wellbeing of the young people, Oranga Tamariki will provide public updates at appropriate milestones in the programme. Outside of this, updates will only be provided if the circumstances are exceptional, or if there is a matter of public safety that outweighs the privacy and wellbeing considerations mentioned above.