Section 448B monitoring policy, accountability, and legislative settings

Under section 448B of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, the Minister for Children is required to report to Parliament on whether existing legislation, government policy and other accountability documents are meeting the needs of children and young people, particularly tamariki and rangatahi Māori.

The section provides a mechanism for regularly monitoring the policy, accountability, and legislative settings of Oranga Tamariki, and assessing whether, and when, change is needed.

This is the first section 448B report. In a context of several reviews into aspects of the operations of Oranga Tamariki, in particular Te Kahu Aroha (the report of the Ministerial Advisory Board), and the Future Direction Plan, the Minister has taken a high-level approach to the section 448B report. In doing so, this report reflects and reiterates where Oranga Tamariki is heading and the work underway to achieve this.

The next section 448B report is due to be tabled by 1 July 2025.