Mana Tamaiti principles

Introduction of Mana Tamaiti principles to Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children through the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Act.^[i]

A Māori Design Group was established alongside Oranga Tamariki as an external reference group. Appointed by the chief executive of Oranga Tamariki, members represented a wide range of community groups with expertise relating to whānau, hapū, and iwi.^[ii] In response to the obligations set out for Oranga Tamariki in section 7AA and reflecting Oranga Tamariki’s growing awareness that a Māori worldview of wellbeing is critically important within the care and protection system, Oranga Tamariki introduced the Mana Tamaiti principles in 2017. These seek to support tamariki Māori to establish, maintain, and strengthen their sense of belonging through cultural identity and connections to whānau, hapū, and iwi.^[iii] Available data appears to indicate that changes made to fulfil the mana tamaiti objectives of section 7AA have already reduced disparity in certain respects.^[iv] During 2017, the government released a $2 billion Family Incomes Package to purchase better social outcomes. The 2014–15 social housing valuation (released in 2017) underscored the same point: ‘The future bill of the government’s social housing programme has a figure, $16.4 billion, and it’s projected to increase.’^[v]