Changing The Trajectory: Report Reveals Solutions For Improving Outcomes For Vulnerable Children In Aotearoa New Zealand

Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 11:06 am
Press Release: Stand Tu Maia

A new report has found adopting neuroscience advances, underpinned by data science and strong values, would make a significant difference to the tens of thousands of the most vulnerable children living in New Zealand, and deliver much better value for money in social services.

The report, Changing the trajectory: Modern neuroscience-informed therapeutic interventions, integrated with the wisdom of deep values can reverse the lifetime impact of childhood trauma in New Zealand, was commissioned by Stand Tū Māia to facilitate discussion about a sustainable and effective funding and delivery framework for Aotearoa New Zealand’s social service provider sector.

The findings provide a clear path forward for New Zealand’s system to better deliver sustainable support services for the estimated 48,000 significantly at-risk children.

Stand Tū Māia is a charitable trust providing specialist and intensive wraparound response social services for vulnerable children aged between 5 and 12 years.

David Boyle, Chair of Stand Tū Māia, said Aotearoa New Zealand has a golden opportunity to drastically improve the lives of significantly at-risk children, and to get better value for money from investment in social services.

“We believe we all have a ‘weight of responsibility’ to create a framework that we can all deliver the best care and support needed to help those most in need. We cannot afford to waste any more time or resources. The longer the delay, the more we risk failing those most at need, the children and whānau whose futures depend on timely, effective interventions, and society which otherwise faces much of the fiscal and wider social cost,” he said.

The report examines how early experiences of trauma shape the trajectory of individuals’ lives and presents a clear argument for investing in trauma-capable services. Such interventions improve long-term outcomes for children and their whānau.

Dr Fiona Inkpen, Chief Executive of Stand Tū Māia said the Changing the Trajectory research paper highlights the opportunity, and urgent need, for action to address the impacts of trauma on children and their whānau.

“Trauma-capable services offer a strategic approach to reducing the immense fiscal costs associated with failing to address the impacts of trauma early on. Childhood trauma is now widely recognised as one of the most significant determinants of poor lifetime outcomes for children.

“Tens of thousands of children live in conditions that expose them to early trauma. The lifelong impact puts them at very high risk of poor outcomes that will unfortunately follow them through life. It is estimated the cost of not providing these children and whānau with the right specialist trauma-capable support is $15 Billion[1],” she said.

The report highlights opportunities to learn from advances in brain science, data science and the successes in current social service intervention delivery, along with Te Ao Māori wisdom providing holistic and community-based perspectives on healing.

“We know the negative impacts of trauma leads to lifelong issues for our children. This is seen across their health, learning and employment, as well as behaviour and relationships. It is incredibly sad for these children, but also has a social and financial cost for our society.

“Stand Tū Māia commissioned this report because we believe there is a different way of supporting children so they can have better outcomes and live better lives, as well as the sector providing better value for money through targeted intervention.

“We hope this report will help set a stable pathway forward to deliver the services that have the best long-term outcomes for children,” Dr Inkpen said.

Mr Boyle emphasised that the Changing the trajectory research report outlines a recommended immediate shift in focus. It states targeted interventions over the long term, that work to support our most vulnerable children, will make the most valuable differences.

“A social investment approach can be a circuit breaker, through the use of data and evidence to understand the cause of social problems, and support early investment in effective services for the most vulnerable.

“The report acknowledges the real concern that the current approach is not delivering the desired outcomes. It is critical that we also take a hard look at accountability, funding structures and processes, and across government service coordination models. While these areas certainly need improvement, the most pressing need is not perfection, but rather speed. We must avoid the mistakes of the past – delays, lack of trust and application of knowledge, indecision, and a failure to invest in the means.”

“This is New Zealand’s moment to put evidence-based approaches into action and build a future where no child is left behind due to the unresolved impact of trauma. The path is clear. We must walk it, now. This approach could be a circuit breaker for addressing childhood trauma and its lifelong impacts,” said Mr Boyle.

The report was researched and written by Jean-Pierre de Raad, an independent economic and public policy consultant, with a background in the health and wider social sector policy. The full report is available on the Stand Tū Māia website: https://www.standtumaia.nz/s/Changing-the-Trajectory-Report-April-2025.pdf

Fact sheet: Changing the Trajectory Research

About Stand Tū Māia

Stand Tū Māia is one of New Zealand’s leading social service providers recognised for its specialist trauma-capable intervention services and the outcomes we deliver. It works with the most vulnerable young children and their whanau, providing specialist trauma-capable treatment programmes for children aged 5 to 12 years, along with intensive family support focused on restoration of safety and wellness

Children and families are referred to it often as a last resort following numerous social services, health, and education interventions. This typically follows numerous social service, health and education interventions.

Stand Tū Māia currently supports nearly 1,000 and their whānau and has a waiting list of 328 children. Many on this waiting list have specifically requested its help based on Stand Tū Māia ‘s proven track record and the trust they have in our team and service. 70% of the children Stand Tū Māia works with are known to Oranga Tamariki.

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