Oranga Tamariki accused of cutting specialist Māori roles

New Zealand's Ministry for Children is being accused of cutting specialist Māori roles as part of its wider restructure stemming from the government's cost-cutting measure.

The Public Service Association (PSA) is claiming that 21 specialist Māori roles at Oranga Tamariki are proposed of getting cut, including:

• Regional Māori Practice Coach (6)
• Senior Advisor Iwi and Māori engagement (4)
• Kaiarahi Regional Cultural Advisor (1)
• Poutiaki Māori Learning (2)
• Manager Māori Practice Advice (1)
• National Māori Practice Advisors (2)
• Advisor Treaty Response Unit (1)
• Director Treaty Response (1)
• Principal Advisor Treaty Response (1)
• Senior Advisor Treaty Response (1)
• Principal Advisor Communications Māori (1)

These 21 roles are included in the 632 roles that are proposed of being disestablished in the ministry, according to the PSA, which cited a consultation document that it obtained.

Reason for specialist cuts

The same document also reportedly said the specialist roles would be axed as the government's approach to Te Ao Māori has "now reached a state of maturity that means we can move to the next stage of cultural capability development."

Janice Panoho, Te Kaihautū Māori for the PSA Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi, said the proposed cuts were "irresponsible and reckless."

"It's simply wrong to claim that Oranga Tamariki has reached a 'state of maturity' in Te Ao Māori," Panoho said in a statement.

"Cultural capability is all about learning how to respect cultures and knowing how to behave appropriately. It's not necessarily an end point but a continued process of improvement. This should be standard practice and built into an organisation through continual training and development for new and existing staff so they keep improving how they deliver their work."

She questioned the timing of the cuts, pointing out many of vulnerable rangatahi and tamariki are Māori.

"How can it be with some two thirds of rangatahi and tamariki in care being Māori?" she said. "The ripple effect of slashing an already small group of Māori specialist roles will be felt throughout the organisation, will impact on workload and ultimately impact on tamariki, rangatahi and whānau," Panoho said.

Public service job cuts

A total of 447 roles out of the 632 are expected to be cut at the Ministry for Children, as the office's restructuring measure would also result 185 new jobs.

Oranga Tamariki chief executive Chappie Te Kani previously said the proposed cuts will be "hardest" for those who will be impacted.

"I want to be clear. The change I am proposing is not about tinkering around the edges. This change goes to our core as a Ministry. It fundamentally moves us away from where we are," Te Kani said as quoted by Newshub.

The chief executive said they are currently consulting with staff, with final decision to be made when everyone involved will reach an agreement.