If you, or a child or young person you know is in immediate danger call the Police - dial 111
For non-urgent concerns about a child or young person you are worried about, or who is already in care, contact Oranga Tamariki - Dial 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) or email contact@ot.govt.nz
Please get in touch with us if you'd like to know more about what we do, give us some feedback, or raise a concern about our work. If your message requires a response, we'll aim to respond within six working days. Remember to include your phone number if you'd like us to call you back.
Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor
PO Box 202
Wellington 6140
Email: info@aroturuki.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 777 232
or Text: 3701
Media enquiries email: communications@aroturuki.govt.nz
An independent advocacy service for children in care and can help connect you with other services. Find out more at www.voyce.org.nz
Freephone: 0800 4VOYCE (0800 486 923) or send a message online
Free legal services for all tamariki and rangatahi, or people making enquiries on their behalf. Find out more at youthlaw.co.nz.
Phone Youth Law on 0800 884 529 or email legal@youthlaw.co.nz
If you need to talk about how you're feeling right now, trained counsellors are available free of charge at anytime of the day or night. Find out more at 1737.org.nz
Free call or text anytime on 1737
A free helpline and online chat service for children and young people ages 5-18. Find out more at whatsup.co.nz
Call 0800 WHATSUP (0800 942 8787) from 11am to 11pm.
Online chat is available at whatsup.co.nz from 11am to 10.30pm every day.
A free helpline that supports young people aged 12 years and over. Find out more at youthline.co.nz.
Call 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
Caring Families Aotearoa supports caregivers of children in care. Find out more at caringfamilies.org.nz
Freephone: 0800 693 323 or email: enquiries@caringfamilies.org.nz
Oranga Tamariki has a caregiver support line 0508 227 377 and a webpage with resources for caregivers: ot.govt.nz/caregiving/support-and-learning/
If you, or someone you know, needs to talk about how they're feeling right now, trained counsellors are available free of charge at anytime of the day or night. Find out more at 1737.org.nz
Free call or text anytime on 1737
If you have a concern about Oranga Tamariki or another custody or care provider you can make a complaint.
You can make a complaint with Oranga Tamariki or the provider first. If you’re not sure about doing that, or your complaint is about more than one organisation, then you can talk to someone at the Ombudsman.
For Tamariki or Rangitahi in care, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai can work with you to understand your rights and help you express your views on any matter. This includes supporting you to resolve issues or make a complaint.
Download the PDF guide to getting support and making a complaint in the oranga tamariki system.
If you have a concern about Oranga Tamariki, or a provider contracted to Oranga Tamariki, you can make a complaint.
You can make a complaint with Oranga Tamariki or the provider first. If you’re not sure about doing that then you can talk to someone at the Ombudsman.
Making a complaint about Oranga Tamariki:
If you have a concern about another providers with custody and care responsibilities, you can make a complaint to the provider first. If you're not sure about doing that then you can talk to the Ombudsman.
Open Home Foundation has information how to make a complaint on its website at ohf.org.nz/about-us/feedback-and-complaints/
Barnardos also has information about how to make a complaint on its website at barnardos.org.nz/get-in-touch.
If you aren’t happy with the response from Oranga Tamariki, or another provider, you can make a complaint to the Ombudsman.
If you’re feeling unsure about making a complaint or just want advice, contact the Ombudsman and they will help you. It’s free and you won’t get in trouble.
Find out more on the Ombudsman’s website nau-mai.nz or contact the Ombudsman by email info@ombudsman.parliament.nz or phone 0800 184 184.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) handles complaints about the NZ Police.
To make a complaint, go to ipca.govt.nz/site/complaints or email info@ipca.govt.nz or phone 0800 503 728.
Find out how to make a complaint about a health or disability service from the Health and Disability Commissioner hdc.org.nz.
A health and disability advocate can help you, contact advocacy.org.nz or 0800 555 050.
The Ministry of Education has information on making a complaint about schools or other education providers at education.govt.nz/our-work/contact-us/complaints.
You can appeal a decision made by the Family Court to the High Court. You have 20 working days to file your appeal.
For more information, talk with your lawyer or contact a Community Law Centre (you’ll find details for a local one at communitylaw.org.nz).
People who have experienced abuse in state, faith-based, or other forms of care can access support from Survivor Experiences Service survivorexperiences.govt.nz.