About us | Mō mātau

Our values and policies Oversight system Our history Corporate documents News and updates Working for us
About us navigation

We were established in 2019 to monitor compliance with the National Care Standards (NCS) Regulations.

On 1 May 2023 our role was expanded to monitor the whole of the oranga tamariki system. The oranga tamariki system includes services like early support, care, youth justice and transitions out of care. This also includes work to support 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 wellbeing and reduce risks to tamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary.

The Oversight of the Oranga Tamariki System Act requires that we act independently in developing our monitoring tools and approaches, and in carrying out our monitoring function. This ensures that our operations and findings are independent from Ministers and government agencies, and that our monitoring can be trusted by both the public, and decision makers.  

Our people | Kaimahi

Nearly two thirds of our kaimahi are focused on gathering and analysing information, reflecting our emphasis on listening to the voices of those experiencing the system.

Our operational teams (our monitors who visit communities) are spread around the motu – in Tāmaki (Auckland), Whanganui-a-tara (Wellington) and Ōtautahi
ChristchurchView the full glossary (Christchurch).

​​​​​​​Our monitors come from a range of backgrounds and areas of expertise including social work, psychology, education and law. They are trained in listening and speaking with children and young people and have experience in working with different communities, including Māori communities. 

Whanganui-a-tara is the base for most of the teams who support this work and carry the voices of experience through into the reports we publish. This includes Data and Insights, Performance, Policy and Practice (PPP) and Communications, and Māori and Community Engagement.

Chief Executive

Arran400x400

Arran Jones is the Chief Executive of Aroturuki Tamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary, the Independent Children’s Monitor. Arran has been with us since April 2020. He has a legal background, having spent over ten years working in the Ministry of Social Development’s Legal Service both as senior solicitor and Deputy Chief Legal Advisor leading operational and corporate teams.

Arran has held several leadership roles at the Ministry of Social Development including in the Office of the Chief Executive, Legal Services and at Work and Income. More recently he was Head of Privacy at ACC. Arran also led the Partnerships and Programmes workstream in the Investing in Children programme that established Oranga Tamariki.

“My vision for Aroturuki Tamariki is to listen to many voices, most importantly of  tamariki (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), to reflect and then share insights to hold the oranga tamariki system to account and also support better informed decision making, both at the centre and in communities. I believe this is how we can provide the greatest support to Oranga Tamariki and other monitored agencies, the organisations providing services in the oranga tamariki system, and ultimately the tamariki and rangatahi in their care or at risk of coming into care.”

Chief Monitor

Nova400x400

Nova Banaghan is the Chief Monitor. Nova has been with us since August 2019. She is a registered Social Worker and has had a 20-year career in the public service, including leadership roles with Child, Youth and Family, the Ministry of Social Development, and the Department of Corrections.

Nova’s experience includes working directly with tamariki
Children (plural) aged 0-13 yearsView the full glossary (children) 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 (families), and supporting the Women’s Strategy at the Department of Corrections. Nova has also developed relationships with non-government organisations, and iwi
TribeView the full glossary and Māori organisations. She is also on the board of governors for a not-for-profit organisation supporting children and families of those with a parent in prison.

“Part of the role of Aroturuki Tamariki is to highlight great practice and to support professionals to have everything they need to help tamariki and rangatahi
Young person aged 14 – 21 years of ageView the full glossary to have positive lives. We do this by identifying what supports them to do this and what gets in the way. My aim is to see practice improvement, and all agencies working together through the influence of Aroturuki Tamariki, to give tamariki and rangatahi the best opportunities."

Te Kāhui

In May 2019, Te Kāhui
To flock, to herd, to cluster and so denotes a groupView the full glossary was established to help achieve the engagement and collaboration goals for the policy and legislative phase of our establishment. These key Māori leaders play a pivotal role in supporting us by providing advice and support on our monitoring approach and how we work. Members of Te Kāhui have expertise, leadership, and mana
Prestige, authority, control, power, influence, status, spiritual power, charismaView the full glossary in health, justice, and social services for Māori.

Tā Mark Solomon

Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kurī

Tā Mark Wiremu Solomon, (KNZM) is an experienced and respected leader of his hapū
Sub-tribeView the full glossary, his iwi
TribeView the full glossary and the wider New Zealand business community. He has served as a member of his local school board and the board of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, as a trustee of Takahanga Marae in his home kāinga
Address, residence, village, settlement, habitation, habitat, dwellingView the full glossary of Kaikoura, as Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu for nearly 18 years and has been a member of the Canterbury District Health Board.  Tā Mark is currently on the Deep South Science Challenge Board and the Sustainable Seas Science Challenge Board, Deputy Chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana and Chair of the Board for Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu Whānau Ora Commission.  Tā Mark is a strong advocate for Māori.

Druis Barrett

Ngāti Whatua-Ngāpuhi descent and her hapū
Sub-tribeView the full glossary are Uriroroi and Mahurehure

Druis Barrett (CNZM) has been a previous Commissioner for two Commissions; Training and Employment, and the Gisborne Cervical Screening Cases; was a former National President of the Māori Women’s Welfare League; Trustee of Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board; and sits on many government advisory groups. She is passionate and committed to promoting and setting tūturu policy for Māori and for the well-being and development of 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, hapū and iwi
TribeView the full glossary.

Katie Murray

Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāi Takoto

Katie Murray (QSM) is the Kai Arahi of Waitomo Papakainga, a 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-based and focused kaupapa Māori based social service agency in Kaitaia. Waitomo Papakainga supports a wide range of programmes and activities that support whānau in her community. Katie is actively involved in her community of Te Hiku ō Te Ika and has a degree in Social Work. She is a trustee on Te Rūnanga ō Te Rarawa as well as Te Hiku ō Te Ika Iwi
TribeView the full glossary Development Trust. Katie is a straight talking, passionate and visionary Māori woman committed to the restoration of tino rangatiratanga for whānau, hapū
Sub-tribeView the full glossary and iwi.

Eugene Ryder

Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Awa and Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau

Eugene Ryder has over 25 years’ experience working to support marginalised families. His expertise and voluntary work in and alongside gang communities in particular, is exceptional. Eugene was appointed by the Chair of the Royal Commission on the Abuse of Children in State Care as an Ambassador and key contact with networks in the gang and wider community. Eugene has worked alongside various government departments advising and sharing his knowledge and expertise, most notably with the Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry for Social Development.