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Te Whānau o Waipareira Co-Partner with Oranga Tamariki to care for whānau

Today marked the start of whānau gaining more control of their tamariki from the crown as Oranga Tamariki CEO, Chappie Te Kani and Te Whānau o Waipareira CEO, John Tamihere signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement and Outcomes Agreement at Hoani Waititi Marae.

Chappie Te Kani was there to co-sign the agreement that was the start of a significant change for Māori.

“I am a very proud CEO of Oranga Tamariki, especially today. And I really do mean it. It goes without saying, the state should not be parenting our tamariki. And I believe to my core to transfer decision-making and resources back to where it rightfully belongs. To us, to our communities”.

Te Whānau o Waipareira CEO John Tamihere recognised the long and emotional road he and others have been on to finally make this a reality.

“We have the rights to look after our own babies, the rights to intervene if we need too. We would never go about it the way the other agency used too. We would approach it in a loving way to deal with manaaki especially those very difficult cases without involving the police. That’s us and this is the start of something very big and very necessary”.

While the Hon. Minister Kelvin Davis was there in a witnessing role, he was quick to solidify the significant change the contract will bring.

“The role of government is to pull the levers of government to make the action happen. So, we are very pleased and proud to be here to sign this kaupapa. It has been a long time coming, too long. And unfortunately, we are bearing the scars of the length of time it has taken for this to happen. I am very proud to be in a place where we should be talking about the wellbeing of our tamariki Māori and their whānau”.

For the past 40 years, Waipareira have provided free services and support for whānau of all ages in West Auckland – health, legal, housing and education.

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