A proposed law change would introduce a new category of low-value theft. Penalties would affect women more than men and put their daughters at higher of sexual harm.
Articles on Oranga Tamariki
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Overseas experience suggests predictive tools can improve child protection, if used carefully. Should NZ reconsider its stance?
Despite best intentions, social and family workers say they can feel helpless because of bigger problems such as housing or family violence.
Research shows the state care system continues to traumatise young people, especially Māori. Without real change, survivors believe today’s apology will ring hollow.
While the New Zealand government removes reference to the Treaty in the Oranga Tamariki Act, Canada and even Australia are taking steps in the opposite direction on Indigenous children’s rights.
Care and protection residences are meant to help children with nowhere else to go. Instead, official reports show those kids are experiencing increased serious physical, sexual or emotional harm.
There is currently no legal requirement in New Zealand to report seen or suspected childhood sexual abuse. Harrowing testimonies to the Abuse In Care Royal Commission suggest that must change.
In New Zealand, you can be considered capable of criminal intent from the age of ten. But this is young by international standards, and many believe reform is overdue.
A new law intended to strengthen oversight of Oranga Tamariki and other agencies tasked to protect children has the potential to do the opposite.
Top contributors
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Faculty of Health Research Associate, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Professor of Law, University of Waikato
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Senior Lecturer in Child and Family Psychology, University of Canterbury
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Adjunct Professor, Stout Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington and Auckland University of Technology, Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University
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Associate Professor in Criminology, Auckland University of Technology
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Associate Professor of Health, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Research Fellow, Faculty of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Flinders University; The University of Melbourne