3. Māori Development Minister—Children Young Persons and Their Families Act ReviewJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Māori DevelopmentMāori Development Minister—Children Young Persons and Their Families Act Review3. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Māori Development: Does he stand by all the Government's policies that relate to the Māori Development portfolio?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development) on behalf of the Minister for Māori Development: Yes.Jan Logie: Does he support the Government proposal to amend the provision of the Children Young Persons and Their Families Act that requires that wherever possible the relationship between a child or young person and his or her family whanau hapu iwi and family group should be maintained and strengthened:"?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: The Minister is actively working with his ministerial colleagues to ensure that any new legislation or proposed reforms take account of and have due regard for the rights of whānau hapū and iwi and will be widely consulted on with iwi hapū and whānau. Jan Logie: Does he think that the best outcome for Māori children is to wherever possible remain in the care of their whānau hapū or iwi?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: The Minister and his officials provided a range of advice including the need to protect whakapapa and uphold Treaty rights of whānau hapū and iwi to be authorised to care for their own mokopuna. Given that 60 percent of children in care are Māori he agrees with Dame Tariana Turia that there are thousands of safe Māori whānau who could and do care for our mokopuna who are in need of care and protection.Jan Logie: How could any change to this hard-fought provision be consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which recognises "the right of indigenous families and communities to retain shared responsibility for the upbringing training education and well-being of their children"?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: The Minister is an absolute advocate for the rights of Māori children and young people to be treated as Māori and he is working with his colleagues to ensure that both whakapapa and Treaty rights are protected and maintained.Jan Logie: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was a general response; it was not a response to the question about—Mr SPEAKER: Order! On this occasion the Minister Anne Tolley is answering on behalf of the Minister. I will ask the member to re-ask that question.Jan Logie: How could any change to this hard-fought provision be consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which recognises "the right of indigenous families and communities to retain shared responsibility for the upbringing training education and well-being of their children"?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: As I said earlier the Minister is actively working with ministerial colleagues to ensure that any new legislation or proposed reforms take account of and have due regard for the rights of whānau hapū and iwi. Jan Logie: Is he concerned with the proposal in light of the latest UN Convention on The Rights of the Child report which raised serious concerns about the "Enduring inadequate cultural capability of the State care system."?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: Yes.Jan Logie: Does he agree with Moana Jackson who at the Hands Off Our Tamariki hui I attended in Ōtaki last week said in response to these reforms "[I am] filled with sadness and despair that Māori people are again under attack on an issue at the heart of whakapapa and who we are."; if not why not?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: One cannot answer that question in specificity. What I can say on behalf of the Minister is that he is absolutely committed to upholding the Treaty of Waitangi in this and other areas in his portfolio."