21027 (2025). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

21027 (2025). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: How many, if any, children who have not been allocated a Oranga Tamariki social worker, although they require one, have received a report of concern while waiting allocation of a social worker, as of 31 March 2025?

Hon Karen Chhour: I am advised by Oranga Tamariki that this data needs to be manually extracted and therefore is not possible to provide a Written Parliamentary Question response within the given timeframe. I am further advised that there are many reasons Oranga Tamariki can receive a Report of Concern relating to a child or young person awaiting allocation to a social worker. For example, multiple Reports of Concern about the same situation can be received in quick succession, new Reports of Concern can be received because a situation has changed, or Reports of Concern can be received about unrelated matters involving the same child or young person. I am also advised that if Oranga Tamariki receive a new Report of Concern relating to a child or young person awaiting allocation to a social worker, the new information is considered alongside what is already known, and notifiers are contacted again if necessary. Urgency is quickly reassessed, and a more rapid allocation and response will occur when needed.