50575 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children

50575 (2024). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Children: What consultation, if any, occurred with community service providers regarding the decision that “Oranga Tamariki will now only pay up to 70% of the maximum value of a contract until the services have been provided in full", listed by date and names of organisations?

Hon Karen Chhour: Corrected reply: I am advised by Oranga Tamariki that no formal consultation with service providers occurred regarding this decision. For clarity, this decision applies to care services only. These are services for children in the care and custody of the Chief Executive. Contracts will now provide for 8-9 months of funding, with further funding held in contingency to ensure that final quarter payments are based on actual service utilisation and any outstanding costs, based on regular reporting and monitoring. This is not an overall reduction in funding, but an approach to ensure that funding is only spent where services are actually needed and used. Contracting decisions are an operational matter and are the responsibility of the Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki.