The Waitangi Tribunal w/ Lawyer Roimata Smail (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, English, Scottish, Irish descent): Wednesday 1 May, 2024

The Waitangi Tribunal has urged the government not to scrap Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act, which legally requires Oranga Tamariki to adhere to Treaty principles and improve outcomes for tamariki Māori in state care, before allowing adequate time for an inquiry to review the legislation.

It warned repealing Section 7AA would diminish the rights, needs, and voices of tamariki Māori and cause a strong public reaction from communities.

The tribunal also summoned Children’s Minister Karen Chhour, who is responsible for the policy, which refused, and this request was overturned by the High Court.

News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Lawyer and author of ‘Understanding Te Tiriti – a handbook about Te Tiriti o Waitangi’, Roimata Smail (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, English, Scottish, Irish descent), about the importance of the tribunal as a watchdog of Crown actions which breach Te Tiriti.