[30] By contrast, former Families Commissioner Christine Rankin defended Oranga Tamariki's actions and criticised Newsroom for allegedly spinning it into a "race issue.

[34] On 13 June, the Family Court declined Oranga Tamariki's bid to force Newsroom and news website Stuff to change details to The Uplift story.

[35] In response to public interest, the Children's Minister Tracey Martin announced that she would meet with local iwi Ngāti Kahungunu and the Māori Council to defuse the situation.

[36] On 16 June, Martin announced that the Government would be conducting a review into Oranga Tamariki's attempted uplifting in the case of a Hawkes Bay mother and her child.

[39] On 22 August 2019, Oranga Tamariki signed an agreement with the North Island iwi Ngāi Tūhoe to ensure that fewer Māori children end up in state care.

Earlier in the year, Oranga Tamariki had signed similar partnership agreements with other Māori iwi including Waikato Tainui, Ngāi Tahu and Ngāpuhi.

[44] During the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, the Minister of Health, Chris Hipkins, issued a press statement in mid-August 2020 rejecting rumours circulating within the Māori and Pasifika communities that Oranga Tamariki was taking away children whose parents had tested positive for COVID-19.

He also criticised Oranga Tamariki for allegedly "putting ideology ahead of the child's best interests" and rejected their assertion that the Smiths were stripping Moana of her whakapapa (genealogy).

Ngahiwi Tomoana, the head of Ngāti Kahungunu, who had supported the ministry's application, called for the decision to be appealed and claimed that uplifting separated Māori children from their families and communities.

Mrs Smith described the decision as "heartbreaking" and stated that they were "still grieving the loss of our daughter in our home" and wanted Moana to be part of their family's lives.

Oranga Tamariki's East Coast regional manager Julie Tangaere described Moana's case as "highly sensitive" and "distressing," but asserted that its involvement had been consistent with the implementation of the Court's plans.

[52] In October 2022, the Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier released a scathing report into Oranga Tamariki's handling of the case of five year old Tauranga child Malachi Subecz, who was murdered by his caregiver Michaela Barriball in November 2021.

[56] In early December 2022, a second independent report by former health official Dame Karen Poutasi into Oranga Tamariki and other agencies' handling of the Malachi case was released.

However, the Government stated that it would consider the five remaining recommendations including vetting the caregivers of imprisoned parents, regular follow-up checks and implementing the mandatory reporting of suspected abuses to Oranga Tamariki.

In addition, Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti confirmed that the early childhood centre Subecz attended had also lost its license in November 2022.

These residences catered for children aged between 12 and 16 years, who could not be placed in foster care due to behavioural issues, criminal offending or drug consumption.

In response, Oranga Tamariki's acting chief executive Wira Gardiner confirmed that several staff had been suspended while the agency and Police investigated the incident.

The Herald also reported that staff faced frequent attacks with improvised weapons including sharpened toothbrushes and vape pen components.

[12] On 21 June 2023, Oranga Tamariki removed two staff members from youth justice residences following allegations of "inappropriate sexual behaviour" involving five young people.

Children's Minister Kelvin Davis described the alleged abuse incidents as unacceptable but praised Oranga Tamariki's chief executive's "swift and decisive response."

Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive Mike Bush along with members of the Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand took part in efforts to negotiate with the youths during the standoff.

[74] On 4 July 2023, Newshub reported that Oranga Taramiki staff members had filmed several teenager residents participating in an illegal MMA-style fight at the Korowai Manaaki facility.

[75] In response, National Party leader Christopher Luxon criticised Oranga Tamariki's leadership and management, and advocated military-style boot camps as an alternative to the youth residences.

In response to media coverage, a former youth justice resident alleged that Oranga Tamariki staff members organised fights as a "scare tactic" meant to reinforce a "pecking order.

Since June, the agency had removed 22 staff from youth justice residences in response to various complaints including inappropriate language, supplying contraband, and both physical and sexual assaults.

[82] On 12 December 2023, five staff members and three young people were wounded during a fight at the Muriwai Unit at the Te Puna Wai youth justice residence in Christchurch.

In late June 2024, Mana Mokopuna released a report alleging that staff members physically assaulted residents, engaged in inappropriate relationships, supplied them with contraband, and tolerated a culture of bullying and violence.

He also acknowledged that the Ministry had implemented several changes following his investigations including a requirement for an accurate analysis of the risks and benefits of placements in Oranga Tamariki's court documents.

[90] In response, Minister for Children Karen Chhour welcomed the report and stated that she wanted to set clear priorites for Oranga Tamariki and to provide frontline staff with resources needed to do their job.

"Voyce - Whakarongo Mai" spokesperson Tupua Urlich expressed skepticism that the report would lead to a change in Oranga Tamariki's practices given the Ministry's track record of ignoring its own procedures.