Minister for Children Karen Chhour reported that Youth Justice and Care and Protection residences have experienced a 14% decrease in reported harm since 2024.
“I am grateful to be able to confirm the first ever reduction of harm within Youth Justice and Care and Protection residences, a 14% decrease since 2024, this latest data shows our focus and hard work is getting results,” she said.
Chhour attributed this to enhanced training, recruitment, and leadership at Oranga Tamariki, along with improved staff induction programmes and the introduction of transparent bags to allow clear monitoring of their contents.
“We have introduced a practice of only using see-through bags in these residences so that the contents can be observed,” Chhour said.
“This supports safety by preventing unauthorised or potentially harmful items being brought in, even inadvertently.”
“It is tragic that any harm occurs, but we have made a number of investments and changes to practice to get meaningful reductions to harm.”
“We are fixing what matters.”
She explained that when children and young people experienced harm in a residence, plans were put in place to ensure immediate safety, medical care was provided as needed, and police were involved when necessary.
“This work aligns with, and was very much inspired by, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care, particularly the heartfelt words of survivors who wanted us to ensure their experiences weren’t repeated. We have listened, and we thank you for speaking up.”
“We have refocused the children’s system on what matters – the safety and wellbeing of children, whether in the community or residences – and the results are clear,” Chhour said.