Oranga Tamariki has recently started using hui ā-whānau for cases involving tamariki Māori. At a hui ā-whānau, tikanga Māori is central. They’ll be facilitated by a whānau member or a kairaranga ā-whānau (who work for either Oranga Tamariki or an iwi or Māori organisation) or someone else who is strong in tikanga.
Oranga Tamariki may ask for a hui ā-whānau to be called to work out a way forward if it has concerns about a child but it doesn’t think the problems are serious enough to require a Family Group Conference.
On the other hand, if Oranga Tamariki does think a Family Group Conference is needed, it may also call a hui ā-whānau before the conference, so that the whānau can kōrero together and prepare for the conference and so that they can work out a short-term plan for the child until the conference happens.