Oversight system | Pūnaha tirohanga whānui

Oversight of the oranga tamariki system

The oranga tamariki system is responsible for providing services and support to tamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary and rangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary and their whānau
Whānau refers to people who are biologically linked or share whakapapa. For the Monitor’s monitoring purposes, whānau includes parents, whānau members living with tamariki at the point they have come into care View the full glossary under, or in connection with, the Oranga Tamariki Act. This includes services and support such as early intervention, care, youth justice and transitions out of care. This also includes work to support whānau wellbeing and reduce risks to tamariki.

Lots of organisations are involved in the oranga tamariki system. There are government organisations such as Oranga Tamariki, Police, Health and Education organisations, iwi
TribeView the full glossary, hapu, and Māori social services as well as community non-government organisations.

Three oversight agencies work together to check that law is being applied correctly, services are being delivered effectively, and that those services are improving outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi.

If you're in care, find out how to get support

Find out about the three oversight agencies

Finding your way around the islands of kaitiaki Play

Finding your way around the islands of kaitiaki

English

Te tipu haere ki nga moutere o kaitiaki Play

Te tipu haere ki nga moutere o kaitiaki

Te reo māori

Finding your way around the islands of kaitiaki Play

Finding your way around the islands of kaitiaki

New Zealand Sign Language

The three oversight agencies

Advocacy

Mana
Prestige, authority, control, power, influence, status, spiritual power, charismaView the full glossary Mokopuna - Children and Young People’s Commission advocates for the interests, rights and wellbeing of all mokopuna (children and young people), including those in the oranga tamariki system, and where needed, helps mokopuna and their whānau
Whānau refers to people who are biologically linked or share whakapapa. For the Monitor’s monitoring purposes, whānau includes parents, whānau members living with tamariki at the point they have come into care View the full glossary navigate the system to resolve problems.

Find out more at manamokopuna.org.nz, email children@manamokopuna.org.nz or phone the Child Rights Line on 0800 224 453

Monitoring

Aroturuki Tamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary, the Independent  Children’s Monitor, listens to the voices of tamariki and rangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary and their whānau
Whānau refers to people who are biologically linked or share whakapapa. For the Monitor’s monitoring purposes, whānau includes parents, whānau members living with tamariki at the point they have come into care View the full glossary in monitoring the performance of the oranga tamariki system. This includes compliance, quality of practice and outcomes, and identifying areas for improvement. Monitoring reports are used by others to advocate for system change. 

Complaints and Investigations

The Ombudsman helps resolve people’s complaints about Oranga Tamariki and other care providers. They also look into and investigate issues arising from complaints.

Find out more at ombudsman.parliament.nz/children-in-care, email info@ombudsman.parliament.nz or phone 0800 184 184

Getting support and making a complaint - Oversight brochure

Published March 2024

A guide to advocacy, monitoring and complaints for tamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary (children), rangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary (young people) and their whānau
Whānau refers to people who are biologically linked or share whakapapa. For the Monitor’s monitoring purposes, whānau includes parents, whānau members living with tamariki at the point they have come into care View the full glossary (family).

Oversight brochure (PDF 547KB)

Our role in the oversight system

Our role is to carry out objective, impartial, and evidence-based monitoring of the oranga tamariki system. Our monitoring activities inform our reports which are required to:  

  • assess how the oranga tamariki system supports the rights, interests, and well-being of tamariki
    Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary    , rangatahi
    Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary     and whānau
    Whānau refers to people who are biologically linked or share whakapapa. For the Monitor’s monitoring purposes, whānau includes parents, whānau members living with tamariki at the point they have come into care View the full glossary     experiencing the system  
  • assess whether powers used under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 are being used appropriately and consistently  
  • support public trust and confidence in the oversight of the oranga tamariki system  
  • drive continuous improvement by identifying areas of high performance and areas for improvement in the oranga tamariki system   
  • inform understanding of the oranga tamariki system and its interface with other systems  
  • support decision making.  

We work closely with our oversight partners, the Ombudsman and Mana
Prestige, authority, control, power, influence, status, spiritual power, charismaView the full glossary Mokopuna - Children and Young People's Commission.

Terms of reference for oversight agencies