The latest data from Oranga Tamariki has shown significant improvement in performance against vital targets, leading to safer children and communities.
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has refocused Oranga Tamariki on what matters most, the care and protection of children.
This commonsense approach is bearing fruit, with Oranga Tamariki making strong progress against Ministerial and Government priorities in Quarter One.
“97% of children in care were visited by a social worker within the targeted time, demonstrating strong engagement and a focus on understanding the needs of children and young people.
“The National Care Standards (NCS) lead performance indicators are also now showing improvement with compliance against caregiver support plans rising by 8% in this Quarter alone.
“There has also been both a large reduction in children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour since June 2024 and a 14% reduction in children in State care residences being harmed.
“Young people are turning their lives around and being kept safer while doing so.
“This is not mission accomplished, I also acknowledge there is still room for improvement.
“Historically high reports of concern show that the public are stepping up and speaking out when they see concerning behaviours, which is hugely important and I thank everyone who comes forward, but it has made responding to these reports within a gold standard timeframe more challenging.
“Responding to this challenge will take more social workers, better case management technology, and a singular focus on the wellbeing of young people above all else.
“This is why we have invested $68m in new case management technology which will free up social workers to spend more time supporting young people and less time behind a desk.
“We’ve recruited twice the number of social workers compared to the number of social workers who left Oranga Tamariki in the last financial year. We’ve also invested in greater professional supports and training.
“There are still not enough supported accommodation places available to young people. Addressing this will take multiple government agencies working better together, something my colleagues and I are committed to achieving.
“Our children’s system is complex, and while in Opposition I was clear that Oranga Tamariki was not focused properly, with too many children falling between the cracks.
“I am committed to fixing this, it is my sole reason for entering politics and remain focused on child protection above all else.
“This latest data shows, while there is still work to be done, we’re moving in the right direction,” says Minister Chhour.
Police on the lookout for a stolen vehicle ended up locating not just the vehicle they were on the hunt for, but another luxury vehicle valued at more than $100,000.
At about 11.40pm, a unit was conducting patrols in the Flat Bush area looking for a Mercedes Benz, which had been reported stolen the previous day.
Detective Inspector Karen Bright, Counties Manukau CIB, says officers were making a number of enquiries and located the vehicle parked on Whakatupu Road.
“The vehicle was displaying altered number plates and officers have then conducted an enquiry at a nearby address, where the keys to the stolen Mercedes Benz were found.
“Officers also located a second stolen vehicle, another Mercedes Benz station wagon valued at more than $100,000.”
Detective Inspector Bright says two people were quickly taken into custody.
“We refuse to tolerate offending of this nature.
“This is a fantastic result and we’re pleased these people can be held to account.”
A 32-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman have been charged with aggravated robbery and will appear in Manukau District Court today.
On the Chatham Islands, 800 kilometres east of mainland Aotearoa, New Zealand, a group of locals are mobilising to protect hundreds of endangered species, including eight types of albatross.
Chatham Islands albatross/toroa/popo. Photo by Dave Boyle.
Taking action for all living beings
The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust has launched the first phase of its Predator Free Chathams project. This includes targeting introduced predators across an initial 7500-hectare area in the northeast of Rēkohu/Wharekauri/main Chatham.
“Predator Free Chathams is a big step in something larger, for all our communities – human, plant, animal, everything that’s part of our ecosystems,” says Hamish Chisholm, the Trust’s Project Lead and a sixth-generation islander.
Success in this area will show what’s possible for the biggest island in the archipelago, Rēkohu/Wharekauri, and further activate the local movement, he says.
“We’re currently building a network of AT220 automated traps targeting possums and rats in the operational area, and we are working with the Hokotehi Moriori Trust to remove feral cats.
“We’re treating this phase like a pilot – what we learn here will help inform how we approach the rest of the island. We want to build greater opportunities for community involvement and support as we are quite a small organisation with two staff, our trustees, and some dedicated volunteers we couldn’t do without.”
Project lead, Hamish Chisholm, amongst the bracken at Te Whanga Lagoon.
Stories of native species revival
The Chatham Islands community has a proud history of bringing species back from the brink of extinction.
This includes the parea, a wood pigeon much like kererū on mainland Aotearoa, whose population has risen from about 40 birds to around 600.
Another example is the Chatham Island tāiko which was once one of the world’s rarest seabirds before sustained predator control and species recovery work started.
“Tāiko are being carefully monitored and protected in the south of main Chatham by another local conservation group, the Chatham Island Taiko Trust, with 52 known breeding pairs returning to their burrows in the 2024/25 season,” Hamish says.
The parea/Chatham Island pigeon is closely related to the slightly smaller kererū on mainland Aotearoa, New Zealand. Photo by Jess MacKenzie
The project has many stories to draw upon, including the rescue of the kakaruia/karure/black robin which helped put Aotearoa on the international conservation stage in the 1980s.
“Dropping to just five individual birds, DOC teamed up with locals to help bring this species back from the brink, and it now exists on the two nature reserve islands, Mangere/Maung’Re and Rangatiara/Hokorereoro,” Hamish says.
“These islands are now reaching their population capacity, highlighting the real need for safer habitat to be created in other areas of the archipelago.”
“One of the highlights from last year was translocating some hakoakoa/tītī to revive an old seabird site in the area, as part of a project led by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust,” Hamish says.
“These chicks all fledged successfully, and the second translocation of chicks is due to happen at the end of March.”
Image: Hakoakoa/tītī translocation into the northeast project area led by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust.
Creating a sustainable future for the Chatham Island community
The livelihood of the local community is also the heart of the vision for Predator Free Chathams, Hamish says.
“Our mahi isn’t just about endangered species, although we do have 326 of those living across the archipelago. By rewilding and restoring whole ecosystems in the archipelago, we can mitigate against climate change and help create a sustainable future for the 700 or so people who live on these remote islands.”
This includes creating environmental career pathways for young people on the island so they can stay if they choose and help restore their home while building valuable skills.
“Our gardens and agriculture will also benefit a lot, with opportunities for alternative land use or new approaches to farming. With the incredible number of seabirds, and unique species out here, there are also great possibilities for well-managed ecotourism.”
Chatham Islands albatross/toroa/popo on its nest with a chick. Photo by Dave Boyle.
Hamish says there are important opportunities to learn in the Chathams that could benefit the wider predator-free movement and conservation efforts across the country, particularly if a project to remove feral cats from Pitt Island can find funding to go ahead.
“From approaches to targeting feral cats to insight on eradicating predators on inhabited islands, we’re keen to be part of that big picture, working towards a Predator Free Aotearoa where nature, including the people who live in it, is thriving.”
The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust and Predator Free Chathams has been supported by a range of organisations along the way, including WWF, Wellington Zoo, Predator Free NZ Ltd, Pacific Development Fund, private donors, Chatham Islands Council, and more recently through two operational grants from the Department of Conservation.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn to New Zealand.
It is the first high-level visit to New Zealand by a Cambodian Minister since 2019 and signals a deepening of the New Zealand-Cambodia relationship.
“Cambodia is a steadfast and trusted partner of New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific region,” Mr Peters says.
“We collaborate on development, work together in regional and multilateral forums, and there are close links between our people in areas such as development and education.
“Deputy Prime Minister Prak’s visit to New Zealand closely follows our visit to Cambodia in November, demonstrating our mutual commitment to the relationship,” Mr Peters says.
During their talks in Auckland, Mr Peters announced NZ$7.5 million in additional support for mine clearance, risk reduction and access to victim assistance in Cambodia.
Discussions also focused on geostrategic challenges and the shared commitment to the rules-based international system and promotion of regional peace, security and prosperity.
Human remains located on Coppermine Island (Mauipane), east of Whangārei have been identified as belonging to a person who went missing in May 2024.
On 20 December 2025, a member of the Department of Conservation contacted Police after finding the remains on the island.
The remains have since been examined by a pathologist, anthropologist, and ESR scientists as we worked to identify who the person was.
Following the examination, the human remains have now been confirmed as those of missing person Ferzil Babu, who went missing while on a fishing trip at The Gap, Taiharuru on 1 May 2024.
Police have since spoken with Ferzil’s family to inform them of the finding.
Police extend their sympathies to his loved ones at this difficult time.
Attribute to Hastings Child Protection Supervisor, Detective Sergeant Kate Hyde:
Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to Manase Uaisele in Napier District Court today.
The 33-year-old was sentenced to five years and five months’ imprisonment after being found guilty of 12 charges relating to sexual offending and indecently assaulting multiple young girls.
Police would like to thank the victims and their families for working so closely with Police throughout the investigation process.
It takes a great deal of courage to come forward and stand up to your abuser, and these brave actions of the victims has not only led to holding Uaisele to account but may have also protected other children from suffering how they did.
While this does not change the damage that Uaisele has caused, Police hope the victims are able to find some closure in this outcome to hopefully help during their healing process.
This matter has now been concluded in Court, however, Police will take further complaints should any other victims come forward.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn to New Zealand.
It is the first high-level visit to New Zealand by a Cambodian Minister since 2019 and signals a deepening of the New Zealand-Cambodia relationship.
“Cambodia is a steadfast and trusted partner of New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific region,” Mr Peters says.
“We collaborate on development, work together in regional and multilateral forums, and there are close links between our people in areas such as development and education.
“Deputy Prime Minister Prak’s visit to New Zealand closely follows our visit to Cambodia in November, demonstrating our mutual commitment to the relationship,” Mr Peters says.
During their talks in Auckland, Mr Peters announced NZ$7.5 million in additional support for mine clearance, risk reduction and access to victim assistance in Cambodia.
Discussions also focused on geostrategic challenges and the shared commitment to the rules-based international system and promotion of regional peace, security and prosperity.
A new maths check for Year 2 students will measure progress and ensure young learners get the support they need early on, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
“Research shows maths understanding in students’ early years is strongly linked to future success in the subject,” Ms Stanford says
“The Year 2 maths check, delivered through our Make it Count maths action plan, is a short assessment that provides teachers a snapshot to understand how learners are progressing in number concepts by the end of Year 2.
“When we came into Government, we knew that half of Year 8 students were a year or more behind in their maths. Helping our young people succeed is a priority for the Government and this is why we are focusing on teaching the basics brilliantly, various assessment initiatives to check progress, and support resources through our $717 million investment into learning support.
“The maths check is now moving through early stages, starting with the trial phase across 100 schools, ensuring our littlest learners will get their needs identified early in their school journeys. We intend this to be available to all schools by the end of the year.
“The check is a short, one-on-one, 15-minute assessment that will provide teachers a snapshot on progress. This will contribute to the new school reporting for parents alongside other progress checks, including the Phonics checks for new entrants.
“The assessment focuses on the key maths concepts and skills for early years, includingnumbers to 120, number facts, operations, and early fractions. This will be carried out through an online tool post-trial and supported by professional learning development for teachers.
“Each school will receive teacher guidance, recording sheets for assessments, student booklets, printed materials, and hand-held maths items supporting testing.
“Our education reforms are raising student achievement so Kiwi kids can reach their full potential. Strong maths skills are essential for success and school and for the opportunities that follow beyond the classroom.
“We will continue to ensure students are learning the fundamentals, getting their learning progress checked at crucial stages, and then getting the support and resources they need to help them succeed,” Ms Stanford says.
