Listening to the Voices of Our Tamariki and Kaitieki

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Independent Visit from Aroturuki Tamariki to Ngāti Porou Oranga

Ngāti Porou Oranga recently hosted a visit from Aroturuki Tamariki – the Independent Children’s Monitor.  Aroturuki Tamariki operates independently from Government. Their role is to travel throughout the country and speak directly with tamariki, mokopuna and rangatahi in care about their lived experiences. They also meet with caregivers to understand their experiences providing care under different organisations and providers.

During their visit, they met with some of our kaitieki who are employed by Ngāti Porou Oranga as part of our iwi-led care approach. They asked about their experiences working with us in the care space — how supported they feel, how they are treated, and what it means to be part of our team.  Importantly, they also spoke with tamariki in care, including those supported by our kaitieki, to understand how they feel about the care being provided to them. Aroturuki Tamariki also visited tamariki staying in Te Whare Awhina — the emergency whare for Oranga Tamariki — to hear directly from them about how they feel within that environment.

Why This Matters for Ngāti Porou Oranga

For Ngāti Porou Oranga, this independent engagement is important.  It provides an opportunity to hear — through an independent lens — how whānau, kaitieki, and tamariki experience our services. Sometimes, people may share things with an independent monitor that they might not raise directly with us. That insight is valuable.  At the same time, we believe our approach as Ngāti Porou makes a difference.  Our model is grounded in whanaungatanga and whakapapa, guided by our own tikanga as an iwi. These values are not separate from our work — they run right through our mahi. Our kaitieki and caregivers are not simply contracted providers; they are part of us. We engage with them as whānau, not as distant contractors.  This creates a point of difference compared with engagement through the state care system.

We strive to be open and transparent with our kaitiaki and tamariki, and we welcome opportunities to reflect on how we are doing. Independent visits such as this help strengthen accountability, improve practice, and ensure the voices of tamariki and caregivers continue to shape the way we work.  At the centre of it all is our commitment to ensuring tamariki and mokopuna feel safe, supported, and connected to their whakapapa.

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