Oranga Tamariki (OT) has defended its recent funding cuts to service providers supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families, framing it as a re-prioritisation of resources rather than a reduction in services.
OT will discontinue contracts with 190 providers and reduce funding for over 142 others, citing the need to ensure that all allocated funds directly benefit children and families.
However, frontline providers like Family Start have expressed concern, arguing that these cuts undermine their capacity to support vulnerable families and damage the relationship between OT and community organizations.
Nikki Hurst from the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services said OT’s characterisation of wasted resources and under-utilisation of services was untrue.
“The reality for us, that we’re seeing in frontline is ever increasing need, growing waitlists and incredibly hardworking, committed frontline people”
Nikki Hurst
Critics also question OT’s ability to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of service providers.
