Northland Principals Association president hopeful for Oranga Tamariki's new system

Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association president Pat Newman. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A leading Northland educator is hopeful changes proposed in a damning review of Oranga Tamariki would make a difference this time around.

President of the Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association Pat Newman said although the new system for Oranga Tamariki would not be perfect, faults and imperfections could be minimised because it was being driven locally.

A damning review released last month found Oranga Tamariki was "weak, disconnected and unfit" and suggested the Government department "remained necessary", and that transformation was possible from within.

The review, established by Oranga Tamariki Minister Kelvin Davis in January, was damning not just of the child protection agency but the Crown for assuming its role in the first place.

In doing so, the review said the Crown had "undermined the role of communities and particularly of hapū and iwi in leading their own communities".

The board called for resources and decision-making to be devolved to Māori collectives and communities, with a clear pathway for this to happen.

Newman is hopeful about the proposed changes and believed them to be the most effective changes so far to make a difference for the kids.

"In the past, I think we have seen four or five supposed big changes in the system in the last 20 years, and everyone has promised miracles. The intentions were always right, but they were very superficial changes.

"They actually did not address core practice and culture. You had management changing but the actual core stuff - how people look upon the people they are supposed to be helping, and how they go about it - never changed.

"There have been some times when I have questioned the judgement of social workers, and I have seen and still am seeing children who have been harmed more by what actions people take. Social workers go off to another job, but the families still struggle."

Newman remained positive this time, saying Davis knew what the problem was.

Davis was the principal of Kaitaia Intermediate School from 2001 to 2007.

"Davis knows the region well, the families and the problems.

"He is bringing in the importance of local community and other providers. The partnership that always was supposed to be there between schools and other lobbies."

Newman hoped that by involving more community groups in the decision-making they could empower whānau to step up earlier and to help themselves with the help from schools.

"This way we are helping our kids a lot earlier and not needing to go for anything more drastic.

"At the end of the day, systems are needed. The State needs to at times look at taking steps that benefit the kids.

"But if we can get the whānau to realise that it takes a whole community to bring up a child and put it in action, then we are going to be effective. It is about motivating community."

Newman agreed there was no way the organisation could be dismantled but said schools had to be a part of the decision-making.

"It is not a matter of money but it is actually about communities taking responsibility with the help of the State.

"Schools have to be an important part of that process. Schools should know about vulnerable students because we need to see they are safe. We have a very important part to play in helping the students and their families."