The Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has called on the Prime Minister to sack Oranga Tamariki CEO and its minister Tracey Martin and wants to see the organisation scrapped.
It follows a call from a group of leading Māori women including Dame Tariana Turia, Lady Tureiti Moxon, Dame Naida Glavish, Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi and Merepeka Raukawa Tait after a damning report on Oranga Tamariki by Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft.
The report found 12 Māori families of babies aged 0-3 months had been subjected to poor social work practice, racism, and were not treated with dignity.
Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer wants the beleaguered organisation to be replaced.
In a statement earlier this week she said: "The Māori Party position is to disestablish Oranga Tamariki following negotiation and agreement between the Crown and tangata whenua of kaupapa Māori-based processes and structures for child protection within whānau, hāpu and iwi."
But Ngarewa-Packer says until that can happen it's vital that there is culturally responsive leadership within the organisation.
Watch the full interview here with Ngarewa-Packer here.
