Dames Slam Oranga Tamariki – There Are No State Excuses To Uplift
A group of prominent wāhine Māori rangatira have again hit out at recent national media coverage featuring Grant Bennett, Chief Social Worker of Oranga Tamariki that appears to justify the practice of uplifts.
“We have no faith in the Chief Social Worker and between him and the CEO, we have no confidence in Oranga Tamariki addressing their well documented systemic failures,” says Dame Naida Glavish.
Her concern is vehemently echoed by Dame Tariana Turia, Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirang, Lady Tureiti Moxon and Merepeka Raukawa-Tait after viewing the television interview featuring Bennett.
There is no justification to severing whakapapa and no State excuses for uplifts the group says.
“We are acutely aware of the problems that are in some families. However we also know that the solutions are also in the whānau, hapū and Iwi.”
“The ongoing advent of colonization to uphold colonial structures are as damaging to whānau, hapū and Iwi as is the negative effect of alcohol and drug addictions,” says Dame Naida.
The reaction comes two weeks after Oranga Tamariki’s Chief Social Worker appeared as a Crown witness before the Waitangi Tribunal at the Inquiry into Oranga Tamariki.
At the same time the Ombudsman publicly challenged the “default position” to uplift after releasing its own damning report on the practice.
Former MP Dame Tariana agrees. “This is about restoration and maintenance of whakapapa. There are no excuses. While we’re all clear tamariki and mokopuna must be in the best living situation for them; that is with whānau, hapū or Iwi.
“We must be bold and brave and totally accept we must be the best parents we can be. We do not expect any more or any less. We do not want our tamariki deculturated. That is long term abuse. We must keep up the fight for whakapapa responsibility, aroha and maintenance. Not Trade Me placements as we experienced in Whanganui.”
Before the Tribunal Lady Tureiti said true partnership would devolve the Ministry’s powers to a stand alone Māori Authority.
“Māori are ready, we’ve been ready for a long time and we are ready to take back our tamariki and they need to give them back with the full resources, empowerment that it takes for us to do this mahi,” Moxon said.
Yes I agree entirely with these lovely ladies. As a person who has had dealings with OT and also my sister worked for OT for 14 years but they crapped on her like they have done to many of their Maori employees which is why they left. The latter also explains the high turn over in Maori Social workers. My sister told me all of the complaints are true and that the truth is finally starting to come out. So with Grant Bennett and Tommy Wilsons’ (from Tauranga) recent comments I believe they are ignoring all the other elephants in the room. P use of some of these parents is but one of the many issues that has been raised. As I mentioned there are many elephants in the room. Moss and her underhanded practises have actually finally been exposed. And I see she is running for cover by signing up so called partnerships with Iwi and hapu providers and the Maori Womens Welfare League wow! she must feel threatened and why is that ? Whanau Ora and our group of Dames have actually exposed her and the STATES many shortcomings. Moss and her many CEOs whom are all on big fat salaries,why is that ? when they have continually failed the very people they are suppose to be helping. And I agree with our ladies now is the time for a new approach. OT have had there time and too many chances. True partnership is what is needed and devolving of power.
It is very hard to find actual words to comment here however first I gotta say, why is there a government organisation with a Maori title being run by a Pakeha woman who does not seem to be accountable to anyone? and why do the employees of this organisation not wear uniforms and drive marked cars and be required to show identification?