6. Question No. 6—ChildrenKAHURANGI CARTER (Green) to the Minister for ChildrenQuestion No. 6—ChildrenKAHURANGI CARTER (Green): Does the Minister agree with official advice that the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act could cripple trust built with Māori communities—SPEAKER: Sorry just a minute—just hold on a minute. You need to start by telling the House who the question is addressed to particularly for the broadcast purpose.KAHURANGI CARTER (Green): To the Minister for Children: does she agree with the official advice that the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act could cripple trust built up with Māori communities and put vulnerable children at greater risk?Hon SCOTT SIMPSON (Senior Whip—National): Point of order Mr Speaker. That's not the question on the paper.SPEAKER: Yeah I was just trying to catch up with that because I was taking advice on that as we went. I'm going to ask the member to start the question again as it's written on the Order Paper.6. KAHURANGI CARTER (Green) to the Minister for Children: Does she agree with reports that the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 could cripple trust built up with Māori communities and put vulnerable children at greater risk?Hon KAREN CHHOUR (Minister for Children): No I do not agree with reports that have stated this. I assume the member is referring to an article with that headline. What that was referring to was a regulatory impact statement that actually said a repeal of section 7AA may undo some of the progress that Oranga Tamariki has made in building trust relationships and accountability in the communities we work with." However the regulatory impact statement also says that the repeal "may increase levels of confidence in the Department's decision-making for some members of the public".Hon David Seymour: Point of order Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker I seek your guidance. This is a question that was on notice and authenticated but it appears that the word "cripple" in the characterisation doesn't actually appear in the official advice and I just wonder how a question can be authenticated when it makes an assertion that is actually not supported by the advice; it's a very colourful interpretation by the member.SPEAKER: That's a very good point. I'll just take some advice. [Seeks advice from Clerk] Right the clarification is that it was not from an official document; it was from a media report which is satisfactory for authenticating a question and the word was used in that circumstance. So I appreciate the member's point of view but the question stands.Kahurangi Carter: What specifically about the 7AA provisions which give practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not in the best interests of tamariki?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: I have stood here and made it very clear time and time again that the best interests and the safety of our children should be first and foremost in all decision making of our young people not based on their race.Kahurangi Carter: Does she agree with official advice that stripping Treaty provisions "may worsen the safety stability and well-being of our children with the greatest needs." and if not what counter evidence does she have?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: I will have to go back and check that advice and then come back to the member with an answerKahurangi Carter: Does she agree with Tama Potaka and the National Party who voted down her member's bill making the same repeal of 7AA that "It would be contradictory of us to dismiss this provision entirely which is intended to be a genuine option to address and meet the best interests of the child in State care."?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: I have said time and time again that my intentions here are to make sure that our young people in this country are safe cared for and loved and they deserve to be treated with the greatest of respect. And no matter what we do here today this is part of the coalition agreement to make sure our young people have the best start in life.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could I ask the Minister as to whether she knows of any Treaty principle that puts the interests of the child last and the interests of others first?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: No. Kahurangi Carter: Can she guarantee—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Someone is on their feet. We'll just let them ask the question in silence.Kahurangi Carter: Thank you Mr Speaker. Can she guarantee that no resources programmes or initiatives delivered by strategic partnerships for the benefit of tamariki in care will cease because of this repeal?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: As far as that relates to the primary question I can't make guarantees like that. All I can guarantee is whatever is working in the best interests of our kids will continue and whatever is not won't.Kahurangi Carter: What assurances if any can she give that the repeal will not worsen the welfare of tamariki Māori or a breakdown in trust between iwi and hapū Māori and the Crown?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: As far as that relates to the primary question I am working hard around the country speaking to iwi hapū and community organisations about how we move forward to make sure that our young people are safe and every decision we're making around their care is based on their safety."