10. Question No. 10—ChildrenHon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister for ChildrenQuestion No. 10—Children10. Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) to the Minister for Children: Does she stand by the decision to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989?Hon KAREN CHHOUR (Minister for Children): Yes.Hon Willow-Jean Prime: What does she say to Tupua Urlich a former ward of the State who was the first survivor to speak at the Māori public hearing for the abuse in care royal commission of inquiry who says about repealing section 7AA that It's going to take generations to undo that harm. So when the Government turns around and fails to acknowledge our rights it's just another stab in the back."?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: I'm sorry that Tupua Urlich had to go through what he went through and I'm sorry that Tupua Urlich had to stand up and tell his story before the royal commission. But at the end of the day this is about making sure that our young people are put first before any other consideration in the Act. And any member on the other side of the House that can argue that putting the safety and the best interests of our kids first—needs to take a good long hard look in the mirror.Hon Willow-Jean Prime: Does she remain "unapologetic for putting the children first" when her ministry's regulatory impact statement indicates that there is a lack of robust evidence that section 7AA does anything at all to harm children and that repealing section 7AA may worsen the safety stability and wellbeing of our children with the greatest needs on page 24 at paragraph 44?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: Whilst I respect the work the officials do and the information that they provide it is also important to note that it is the job of Ministers to consider official advice not to agree with it.Hon Willow-Jean Prime: What does she say to the National Iwi Chairs Forum and the Pou Tangata Iwi Leaders Group who are united against the proposed repeal of section 7AA and can she name an iwi or Māori organisation including any strategic partnerships with Oranga Tamariki that support the repeal of section 7AA?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: People are entitled to have their opinions. At the end of the day this is a coalition agreement something that I campaigned on an issue that I promised to fix while I went around the country and heard the horrific stories of how our young people were put at risk because it was based on their race not their safety.Hon Willow-Jean Prime: How will Oranga Tamariki meet her expectation to establish more partnerships with Māori and continue current strategic partnerships despite repealing section 7AA when she is slashing 21 Māori roles at Oranga Tamariki including the very roles that support engagement—such as the regional Māori practice coaches and senior iwi and Māori engagement advisers—as well as the Treaty response unit and the Māori practice advisers?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: Those roles that the member is speaking of are still a proposal still under consideration and still out for consultation. What we are doing right now is making sure that Oranga Tamariki and all the people that work with our young people have a very clear direction that the care and protection and safety of our young people comes first.Hon David Seymour: Is the Minister more focused on the adults who write regulatory impact statements the adults in the National Iwi Chairs Forum certain adults working for Oranga Tamariki or is she more focused on the vulnerable children and their welfare?Hon KAREN CHHOUR: I have heard about Māori rights I have heard about iwi rights I have heard about parents' rights I have heard about officials' rights but when have we heard about the children's rights?"