Our submission on the protection of tamariki.

Last month Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust lodged a submission with the Ministry of Social Development's Child Wellbeing and Poverty Reduction Group, responding to the Government's proposals to strengthen child protection following the Poutasi Review.

Keeping tamariki safe means acting before harm occurs. The Government's current proposals, including mandatory reporting, wider information sharing and a new Multi-Agency Hub, will make it easier to see risk once it has emerged. Seeing risk is not the same as preventing it. Agencies already hold the information they need to identify whānau under pressure. What has been missing is the timely, coordinated support that reaches whānau before crisis takes hold.

Our submission asks the Government to shift investment toward prevention and early intervention, to look honestly at how justice system decisions can create vulnerability for children, and to build on Iwi-led approaches that are already working instead of adding new layers of centralised infrastructure. We have also asked for genuine Crown–Iwi partnership in how these changes are designed, implemented and monitored, so that the reforms deliver lasting improvement for tamariki.

Whiria Te Muka

The capability the Government is looking for already exists in our communities. Whiria Te Muka, our partnership with New Zealand Police, was built to address whānau harm through intervention that is coordinated, strengths-based and shaped by the people of Te Hiku. Through it, agencies and providers have removed system barriers, integrated services around whānau and built lasting capability in our community. Our submission asks the Government to invest in and grow what is already working for whānau, rather than starting again from the centre.

Publications and resources

📄Strengthening Child Protection and Government — Submission of Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust

Our full submission to the Ministry of Social Development's Child Wellbeing and Poverty Reduction Group. It responds to each of the Government's proposals, including mandatory training, mandatory reporting, the Multi-Agency Hub and safety checking for children's workers, and makes five recommendations for an approach grounded in prevention and partnership with Iwi.

Relationships and partnerships

This submission reflects the strength of the relationships we hold and continue to grow.

We thank the Ministry of Social Development, Child Wellbeing and Poverty Reduction Group for the opportunity to contribute to this important kaupapa, and we look forward to continuing the kōrero as implementation takes shape.

We acknowledge New Zealand Police, our partner in Whiria Te Muka. Their willingness to work differently alongside Te Hiku Iwi continues to show what genuine partnership can achieve for whānau.

The godwit has risen, and others will follow. We are grateful to every kaimahi, partner and whānau member whose experience and insight shaped this mahi, and we will keep you updated as the Government's response develops.

Our advocacy remains anchored in the Te Hiku o Te Ika Iwi–Crown Social Development and Wellbeing Accord and its shared outcomes: Whānau Ora, Whai Rawa, Mātauranga, Mana Māori, Tū Rangatira, Hauora and Whare Āhuru.

Ngā mihi nui,

Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust