Have your say: Proposed changes to independently monitor the Oranga Tamariki system and establish a Children and Young
People’s Commission to replace the Children’s Commissioner
The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People’s Commission Bill is an omnibus bill, which means
that it proposes to amend a number of Acts.
The bill would establish the office of the Independent Monitor of the Oranga Tamariki System. The objectives of the
Monitor would be to carry out objective, impartial, and evidence-based monitoring, and provide advice. The bill would
also strengthen the complaints oversight function of the Ombudsman. It would do this by ensuring that the Ombudsman’s
investigations about the Oranga Tamariki system have a focus on improving outcomes for children, supports agencies in
the Oranga Tamariki system to resolve complaints, and give practical effect to te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of
Waitangi).
The bill proposes to replace the Children’s Commissioner with the Children and Young People’s Commission. The commission
would be an independent Crown entity and be able to hold the Government to account on matters relating to children and
young people. The bill proposes to carry over most of the current powers of the Children’s Commissioner to the
commission. However, the commissioner’s current powers to investigate decisions about individual children would not be
carried over. This is because the Ombudsman already conducts a similar investigatory function and would continue to do
so.
The bill proposes to provide for a review every five years of the new monitoring system and the way that the new
commission is operating.Tell the Social Services and Community Committee what you think
Make a submission on the bill by 11.59pm on Wednesday, 26 January 2022.For more details about the bill: