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Oranga Tamariki Act 1989

Children and young persons in care of chief executive or other persons or bodies - Moving to independence

386C: Chief executive to maintain contact with young persons up to age of 21 years

You could also call this:

"Oranga Tamariki must stay in touch with you until you're 21 if you've been in their care."

Illustration for Oranga Tamariki Act 1989

If you are a young person who has been in care, the chief executive of Oranga Tamariki must keep in touch with you until you are 21 years old. This applies to you if you have been in certain situations, which are listed in section 386A(1). The chief executive must make an effort to stay in contact with you, no matter where you are living or what kind of help you are getting.

When deciding how much contact to have with you, the chief executive must think about what you want, your particular needs, and how old and mature you are. They must also consider whether it is a good idea for you to be independent, if you are able to be. You can find out more about what it means to be a young person in this situation by looking at section 386AAA.

The chief executive's job is to make sure you get the support you need, and to help you become independent when you are ready. They must take your wishes and needs into account when making decisions about your care. You can also get advice and assistance from Oranga Tamariki, as outlined in section 386A and section 386AAD.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS223819.

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Family and relationships > Children and parentingGovernment and voting > Government departments
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386B: Provision of advice and assistance by chief executive, or

"The chief executive helps you become independent by giving advice and support when you need it."

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387: Chief executive empowered to make payments for benefit of children and young persons, or

"Chief executive can help kids with money for their needs"

Part 7Children and young persons in care of chief executive or other persons or bodies
Moving to independence

386CChief executive to maintain contact with young persons up to age of 21 years

  1. This section applies to any young person (as defined in section 386AAA) who has been in any of the circumstances listed in section 386A(1).

  2. Irrespective of whether the young person is living with a caregiver under section 386AAD or is being provided with any advice or assistance under section 386A, the chief executive must take reasonable steps to maintain contact with the young person.

  3. The following factors must be taken into account when a decision is made about the extent to which contact is maintained with the young person:

  4. whether the young person wishes contact to be made with them:
    1. the young person’s particular needs:
      1. the young person’s age, maturity, and the desirability of them being independent when they are able to do so.

        Notes
        • Section 386C: inserted, on , by section 130 of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Act 2017 (2017 No 31).