Mana mokopuna : the ongoing violations of Oranga Tamariki : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Abstract

Mokopuna Māori are over-represented within the New Zealand government's child protection service, Oranga Tamariki. The research question being investigated is, "What happens to whānau Māori while under investigation by Oranga Tamariki?" The first aim is to explore the experiences of whānau Māori who have been under investigation by Oranga Tamariki. The second aim is to produce evidence for whānau-hapū-iwi to determine solutions that mitigates the impact of Oranga Tamariki on whānau Māori. Using a Kaupapa Māori approach, analysing data using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Thematic Analysis, interviews with eight whānau Māori who had experienced being under investigation by Oranga Tamariki were completed. Four main themes emerged from the data; mamae, whakapapa, kāwanatanga and te Ao o Nehe. The findings include institutional racism, systemic collusion, culturally incompetent kaimahi, the system rewriting whakapapa, unmonitored practices and processes that perpetuates the continued failing of mokopuna Māori by Oranga Tamariki. Recommendations are focussed on the affected whānau and mokopuna, the wider whānau-hapū-iwi, Oranga Tamariki, Social Workers and Psychologists, and government legislation and policy. Broadly, those recommendations include apologies, healing, wānanga, Māori led solutions as well as a co-design of a structure fit for purpose with whānau.