BackThe Government has announced a proposal aimed at strengthening the independent oversight of the Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children systems and children’s issues. The package includes a proposal to give the Ombudsman an enhanced role in overseeing complaints and investigations relating to children and young people in state custody.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says he sees this new role as an extension of his existing work overseeing the administrative actions of all public sector agencies. “Under this proposal, I can work quickly to respond to complaints, as well as identifying and resolving emerging issues. I can launch an investigation at any stage. Oranga Tamariki will need to tell me about any serious issue or if it receives any significant complaints.”
The new directive also allows the Ombudsman to look at wider trends such as a cluster of complaints in an institution, or about a particular event that may suggest broader issues with systems and processes. “My Office has the experience to take on this work as it has a track record of resolving complaints and completing complex investigations in the public sector.
“I’m here for people who do not normally have a voice, those who don’t know who else to turn to. I see this as an opportunity to make a real difference to children’s lives.”
The function will be developed progressively over the next 18 months and will have a strong focus on te ao Māori (the Māori world) given the high number of Māori children in state care.
Mr Boshier spent close to 25 years as a Family Court Judge, the last eight of those as the Principal Family Court Judge.
The new mandate comes on the heels of another new piece of work announced in mid-2018, monitoring the treatment of patients in privately run aged care facilities and detainees in court cells under the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
Source: Office of the Ombudsman, New Zealand
