1. Child Protection Reforms—Māori ChildrenJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSChild Protection Reforms—Māori Children1. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Social Development: Is it her intention to retain the provision in the Children Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989 that requires that priority be given to placing a child with a person who is a member of the child's or young person's hapu or iwi (with preference being given to hapu members) or if that is not possible who has the same tribal racial ethnic or cultural background as the child" in her upcoming reform of the Act; if not what specifically is she proposing the provision be amended to?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education) on behalf of the Minister for Social Development: Tēnā koe e Te Kaiwhakawā ko Te Reo rua! Tuatahi ko te tino ngako o tēnei whakakitenga hou kia ora ngā tamariki katoa me ngā kaupapa here e whai ake me ngā tautoko katoa i roto i Te Mana Whakahou ā nō reira kia mōhio Te Whare Pāremata nei ko te tikanga o tēnei kaupapa kia ora ngā tamariki katoa.[Thank you and second language Mr Speaker. Firstly the earnest desire of this new revelation is that all children policies and all the support contained in the right of renewal are well and so this Parliament must understand that the convention of this provision is that all children are well.]As I have said from the very beginning and will continue to say the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children Oranga Tamariki will put the safety and well-being of children and young people first above everything else. When making decisions about a child decision makers will have to consider whenever possible that the relationship between the child or young person and their family whānau and usual caregiver is respected supported and strengthened; that the relationship between the child or young person and their siblings is respected supported and strengthened; and that the family whānau hapū iwi and usual caregiver have a voice and a role in decisions made about their child or young person. Jan Logie: Was that the specific amendment that is being proposed to the Act? Hon HEKIA PARATA: As the bill has not yet been introduced it would be inappropriate for there to be a discussion about specific provisions. However once the bill is introduced there will be significant opportunity for submissions.Jan Logie: Why is she proposing to remove the principle from section 5 of the Act that requires consideration to be given to how a decision will affect the stability of that child or young person's whānau hapū or iwi given that for tamariki Māori their well-being is inextricably linked to the well-being of their whānau and hapū?Hon HEKIA PARATA: Because I am not familiar with the specific detail of clause numbers and provisions as the member has put it I am going to answer on the basis that—as I said in answer to the primary question—the core purpose of this transformation is to ensure that children are safe and in a stable and loving home. Therefore the provisions that will be outlined in the bill will be directed at that outcome.Darroch Ball: Given that answer can she confirm that if she removes this race-based provision in the Act does she then agree with New Zealand First that the ultimate priority should always be the safety care and protection of any child regardless of the iwi hapū race culture or ethnicity? Hon HEKIA PARATA: In answer to the first part of the question: no. In answer to the second part of the question: we consider the cultural context identity and language of the children whose safety has to be assured. That is an intrinsic part of it.Hon Nanaia Mahuta: Tēnā koe Te Minita. Can you clarify whether the principles informing the bill provide preference towards whakapapa and whānau when making decisions about the care and protection of tamariki?Hon HEKIA PARATA: I cannot confirm that but what I can confirm is that the Māori Party has been making powerful advocacy to the Minister and the Government and that process of discussion is ongoing.Jan Logie: Does she agree that a truly child-centred approach would ensure that tikanga Māori particularly around connection to whakapapa and whānau would be of paramount importance given that tamariki Māori make up 61 percent of children in State care?Hon HEKIA PARATA: No. The paramount requirement will be the safety of the child. However in order to ensure a loving and stable home then connections that arise from a cultural context will indeed be important.Jan Logie: Is the Minister concerned that she does not seem to have a mandate from Māori to push these reforms through seeing as the Government has failed to consult with key stakeholders such as the Māori Women's Welfare League and only belatedly appointed one Māori member to the so-called expert advisory panel?Hon HEKIA PARATA: Of course the Minister will be concerned to ensure that consultation as appropriate has informed the development of the policy. I am aware on behalf of the Minister that I have consulted with a range of stakeholders. But I would commend the democratic institution of this very place to the member where Parliament will have the opportunity to interrogate in detail the specific provisions that are the concern of the member as set out in the primary question.Jan Logie: Does she accept that as she has not undertaken robust consultation of Māori on her reforms which would see more tamariki Māori removed from their whānau she should ensure there is enough time for the matter to be referred to the Waitangi Tribunal for proper scrutiny before the bill is introduced?Hon HEKIA PARATA: I accept none of the assertions that the member has made. I would repeat two elements of previous answers: (1) the Māori Party has been a very powerful advocate on behalf of the very tikanga that the member is identifying; and (2) there will be significant consultation opportunities as part of the select committee process."