48404 (2024). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister for Children

48404 (2024). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister for Children: What steps, if any, will the Minister take to ensure that the repeal of section 7AA will not stop the consideration of cultural wellbeing of children in the care of Oranga Tamariki, if at all?

Hon Karen Chhour: The repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 will not stop the consideration of cultural wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi Māori in the care of Oranga Tamariki. I refer the Member to sections 4, 5, and 13 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. There are provisions in the Act that recognise the importance of concepts such as cultural identity, mana tamaiti, whakapapa, and whanaungatanga of tamariki Māori and their whānau, hapū, and iwi. The repeal of section 7AA will not alter these sections of the Act.