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Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022

Oversight of Oranga Tamariki system - Complaints oversight by Ombudsmen

39: Duties of Ombudsman in relation to complaints and investigations

You could also call this:

"The Ombudsman's job is to handle complaints and investigations about Oranga Tamariki in a fair and respectful way."

Illustration for Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022

When you make a complaint or the Ombudsman investigates something about Oranga Tamariki or a care provider, the Ombudsman must do things in a way that respects a child's family and culture. The Ombudsman must make sure their processes are easy for children, young people, and their families to understand and use. This includes making sure the processes respect Māori values and customs, which is often called a tikanga Māori approach. The Ombudsman must also involve the child or young person and their family in the complaint or investigation process when it is appropriate to do so. This helps the Ombudsman make fair decisions that consider the child's needs and circumstances.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS591494.

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Government and voting > Government departmentsFamily and relationships > Children and parentingRights and equality > Anti-discriminationMāori affairs > Treaty of Waitangi
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38: Application of Act to Ombudsmen, or

"This law applies to Ombudsmen when they deal with Oranga Tamariki services, but they still follow their own rules."

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40: Guidance relating to complaints and systems improvement, or

"Help with making sure complaints are heard and fixed at Oranga Tamariki"

Part 2Oversight of Oranga Tamariki system
Complaints oversight by Ombudsmen

39Duties of Ombudsman in relation to complaints and investigations

  1. When dealing with a complaint or an investigation involving Oranga Tamariki or a care or custody provider, an Ombudsman must—

  2. operate in a way that recognises the importance of a child’s or young person’s family, whānau, hapū, iwi, and culture; and
    1. ensure that the Ombudsman’s complaints and investigations processes—
      1. are visible and accessible to children and young people and their family, whānau, hapū, and iwi, or an individual or organisation supporting them; and
        1. incorporate a tikanga Māori approach; and
        2. involve the child or young person, and their family, whānau, hapū, and iwi in their complaints or investigations processes, as appropriate.