The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost
cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori
and remove many specialist Māori roles.
“This is
simply irresponsible and reckless,” said Janice Panoho Te
Kaihautū Māori for the Public Service Association Te
Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“How can it be that an
organisation charged with supporting vulnerable rangatahi
and tamariki, many of whom are Māori, would think now is
the right time to remove specialist roles?”
21
specialist roles are proposed to be axed as part of the
wider restructure of Oranga Tamariki where 632 roles are
being disestablished, the net change reduction is 447 roles
that may go (see list of Māori specialist roles proposed to
go below).
The Oranga Tamariki consultation document
states that ‘our approach to Te Ao Māori has now reached
a state of maturity that means we can move to the next stage
of cultural capability development’.
“It’s simply
wrong to claim that Oranga Tamariki has reached a ‘state
of maturity’ in Te Ao Māori.
“Cultural capability
is all about learning how to respect cultures and knowing
how to behave appropriately. It’s not necessarily an end
point but a continued process of improvement. This should be
standard practice and built into an organisation through
continual training and development for new and existing
staff so they keep improving how they deliver their
work.
“However, the consultation document provides
scant evidence or explanation that the improvement is well
embedded and that now is the right time to rely less on the
Māori Specialist roles. How can it be with some two thirds
of rangatahi and tamariki in care being
Māori?”
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“Māori specialist roles are
fundamental to improving cultural capability in te reo
Māori, tikanga Māori and te ao Māori, providing support
and guidance to kaimahi Māori and kaimahi non-Māori,
building and maintaining relationships with iwi, hapū and
whānau, ensuring the voices of Māori are heard, and
ultimately working towards achieving better outcomes for
tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
“The
mana, matauranga Māori, experience and skills that all
kaimahi Māori in these roles bring should be valued by
Oranga Tamariki and not simply done away with.
“The
ripple effect of slashing an already small group of Māori
specialist roles will be felt throughout the organisation,
will impact on workload and ultimately impact on tamariki,
rangatahi and whānau,” said Janice Panoho.
Specialist
roles proposed to be disestablished are:
Regional
Māori Practice Coach (6)
Senior Advisor Iwi and
Māori engagement (4)
Kaiarahi Regional Cultural
Advisor (1)
Poutiaki Māori Learning (2)
Manager
Māori Practice Advice (1)
National Māori Practice
Advisors (2)
Advisor Treaty Response Unit
(1)
Director Treaty Response (1)
Principal
Advisor Treaty Response (1)
Senior Advisor Treaty
Response (1)
Principal Advisor Communications Māori
(1)
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