SpeechHon TRACEY MARTIN (Minister for Children): Thank you Mr Speaker. COVID-19 has quite rightly gathered our attention for the last number of months. But just because COVID-19 is here doesn't mean that some of our other very deep-seated challenges went away. I want to bring us back to why New Zealand First actually chose this configuration of Government. What it was that New Zealand First was making sure of was the pathway into the future for New Zealand. I want to do it in the context of one of the most challenging portfolios that the Opposition won't challenge and that is the portfolio of children Oranga Tamariki. The last question I received from the Opposition around Oranga Tamariki and the care and protection of our children in this country was in August 2018.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Oh! The Minister's doing such a great job—beyond question!Hon TRACEY MARTIN: That is not because the Opposition does not care about children; that is because the Opposition actually agrees and sets the platform upon which we built. So Mr Brownlee might like to calm down and just keep listening. There are over one million children here in New Zealand—280000 of them are of Māori descent. There are 5900 children in this country who need intensive intervention to allow them to remain safely at home with their families. There are 5900 children who are under the care of Oranga Tamariki; 90 percent of those children have experienced family violence. Whoever forms the next Government must ensure that the joint venture to address family violence and sexual violence continues and is strengthened. If we could do one thing to address one of the major issues in this country which will have a domino effect for our families regardless of their ethnic background it would be to address family violence.One of the largest misunderstandings I've come across during the last three years in this portfolio is that when a child is taken into care many people think that they're all removed to orphanages or large institutions. Sixty-six percent of children in the care of the State are actually at home either with mum and dad or direct family or extended whānau. So of the 5900 children in care 3894 are at home with family or whānau. The vast majority of children in technical care are at home with family supported by the State. Of the 5900 children under the care of the State 79 percent have had a parent with treatment for substance abuse or drug-related offences. In recent times methamphetamine use by parents and other household members is the major factor. At least 50 percent of the most recent entries into care have a relationship to P. The major item number 2 for whoever forms the next Government: make sure there are addiction services on the ground in every community so that they have a chance to reform their family.When I came into this job on 26 October 2017 while there had been an expert advisory committee and the organisation had been formed on 1 April 2017 there was no operating model and there was no budget. There was no money. On 1 July 2019 just 18 months after the 2017 election we had a Cabinet-approved operating model that included a focus on prevention early intervention and intensive intervention and the largest investment in child protection in our nation's history. But have we made a difference? We have. There has been a 44 percent decrease in children coming into care since 2017. Over 850 tamariki Māori less—fewer; I'm not sure which one Mr Speaker—entered care between 2017 and June this year. We can do better absolutely but we're on the right track.What about babies being taken into care—pēpi Māori. We have made a positive movement in supporting our mums and babies to stay at home and be together. There's been an over 50 percent reduction in babies coming into care between 2017 and 2020. Their entries into care via the section 78 orders—as a result of the Hastings practice review there is an expectation that all section 78 interim custody orders will be made on notice. There has been a 62 percent decrease in section 78 orders since 2017. These children are safe though because we have partnered with iwi hapū and communities. Relationships are the key to what will solve this issue for our children. I urge anybody who makes up the next Government: stay on this track trust Māori trust our communities and devolve and resource. Kia ora.