Government to remove "vulnerable" from Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki
Tue 12 Dec 2017
The Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced at a press conference that Cabinet has agreed to change the name of the Ministry for Vulnerable ...
The Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced at a press conference that Cabinet has agreed to change the name of the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki to Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Children.
Ms Ardern said the name change reflects that the work of the Ministry is "geared towards the welfare of all children" and should "not stigmatise" children.
Minister for Children Tracey Martin said the estimated cost of the change is $418,000. She also said these costs would come from $530,000 of administrative funding that was previously set aside for the original name change. Ms Martin said the transition is expected to take 12 months.
The name change is expected to be made official next week.
The Prime Minister also discussed planned future work requiring successive governments to have a broader well-being strategy for children. She said that over time, Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Children will be expected to lead some of the work focused on child well-being.
The NZ Herald has published the full recording of the press conference. See the video at around 3:30, 11:30 and 13:30 minutes to see announcements and responses to questions related to the Ministry name change.
Update
Minister for Children Tracey Martin announced that the new name, Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, officially takes effect on 18 January 2018.
Background information
The former Social Development Minister Anne Tolley announced the new Ministry last year. The name of the new ministry attracted criticism. The new Ministry launched in April 2017.
Additional media
Vulnerable tag dropped from Oranga Tamariki, Waatea News, 18.01.2018
Oranga Tamariki looks to recruit more social workers, Radio NZ, 18.01.2018
All is well with one less word, Waatea News, 13.12.2017
Losing focus on 'vulnerable' could cost lives: Bill English, Stuff, 12.12.2017
'Vulnerable' dropped from Children's Ministry name, Radio NZ, 11.12.2017
Government axes 'vulnerable' from Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Newshub, 11.12.2017
New name for Children's Ministry, Otago Daily Times, 11.12.2017
Image: Parliament House by Michal Klajban (Hikingisgood.com) (own work), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image: Michal Klajban