19685 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

19685 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: Further to 51900 (2025), how many, if any secure care admissions were extended at Oranga Tamariki's Epuni care and protection facility between 1 August 2025 and 31 January 2026, and, if any, how many were in full compliance with the law?

Hon Karen Chhour: I am advised that between 1 August 2025 and 31 January 2026, 6 secure care admissions were extended beyond 3 consecutive days at Epuni Care and Protection Residence. I am further advised that 3 of these did not have authorisation from the court under section 376 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 for continued detention in secure care. Reasons why extensions may not have the correct authorisation include instances where the time limit was reached due to a re-admission to secure care on the same day. Please note that this is operational data and subject to change.