Key points
- Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Children, announced earlier this year that 447 jobs would be cut under a proposed restructure
- Minister for Children Karen Chhour today says Oranga Tamariki has been a "cash cow" for community service providers for years
- The Public Service Association says the Minister's response disrespects front-line community workers and social workers.
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has described Oranga Tamariki as a "cash cow" for external community service providers who she says are not delivering on their promises.
Chhour — who is an abuse survivor and was in care as a child — said she had asked Oranga Tamariki to properly assess the hundreds of contracts with external service providers, which she said were valued at more than $500 million.
"For too many years, Oranga Tamariki has been the cash cow for community service providers who say they will provide services, and then don't," Chhour said in a statement.
"There has been no reduction in frontline services. Oranga Tamariki is simply funding those who do the work, and not those who don't."
Chhour was adamant the protection of children in care would be at the forefront of decision making and that there would be "no reduction in front-line services".
"Oranga Tamariki's service providers are expected to regularly report back about the work they do, and the children in care they work with.
"The funding they provide is for the care and protection of children in state care. Nothing more, nothing less."
PSA asks Minister to take her comment back
Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi responded to the Minister's comments about service providers today, describing them as "offensive" and asking Chhour to withdraw the statement.
"It is inappropriate and wrong for a Cabinet Minister to describe valued community providers in such an inflammatory and disrespectful way," said PSA assistant secretary Melissa Woolley.
"These providers and workers do vital front-line work that aims to support New Zealand families and whānau with the highest needs. This work includes providing practical advice, support and parenting education. They are absolutely in the front-line protecting babies and pēpē."
Woolley said the Minister had provided no proof to her claim that Oranga Tamariki has allowed "money to slide through the cracks".
"If she has evidence of this, she must be transparent about this including to the Auditor General."
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