Towards a stronger safety net for disabled tamariki in Aotearoa
By Berne Peters, National Manager – Kaitiaki Services
Published 12 May 2026
Content warning: The following article contains mention of child abuse.
The latest review from Aroturuki Tamariki – the Independent Children’s Monitor – confirms that our children are still not safer than when five-year-old Malachi Subecz was killed by his caregiver in 2021, despite years of work and multiple reviews. For disabled tamariki, who already face higher risks of abuse and neglect, these findings are particularly stark.
What the Aroturuki Tamariki report tells us
Aroturuki Tamariki’s report, Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children, looks at how government agencies have implemented the 14 recommendations made by Dame Karen Poutasi following her review of the children’s sector response to suspected abuse. The Monitor examined the actions taken by six key agencies, including Oranga Tamariki, and asked a simple question: are tamariki safer now than when Malachi died?
The answer is sobering. The report concludes that none of the Poutasi recommendations have been fully implemented, that gaps remain across the system, and that overall our tamariki are no safer today. It highlights particular weaknesses in how reports of concern are handled, how agencies share information, and how consistent practice is across Oranga Tamariki sites.
Acknowledging progress – and the limits of it
At CCS Disability Action, we welcome the Government’s decision to accept all of Dame Karen Poutasi’s recommendations as an important and necessary step. Commitment at Cabinet level matters, and the intention to strengthen safety nets for children in Aotearoa New Zealand is clear.
However, as Te Pai Ora SSPA (Social Service Providers Aotearoa) has already pointed out, accepting recommendations is only the beginning. The Monitor’s review shows that many of the promised changes remain in planning or early implementation stages, and that frontline practice, particularly within Oranga Tamariki, has not shifted in a way that makes children meaningfully safer. Our experience over the past six months mirrors this: we see well-intentioned efforts alongside significant inconsistency in how reports of concern are responded to and how disabled tamariki and their whānau are supported.
Disabled tamariki face additional risks
Disabled children and young people are at greater risk of abuse, neglect, and family violence than their non-disabled peers. International and local evidence indicates that disabled tamariki are more likely to experience physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, often compounded by communication barriers, dependence on adults for care, social isolation, and discrimination.
Recent data collated by agencies such as Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People show that disabled children have significantly higher rates of emotional and behavioural difficulties and unmet mental health needs than non-disabled children. These factors create additional vulnerability, yet are often poorly understood or inadequately addressed in mainstream child protection responses.
From our work with disabled tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, we see how concerns can be dismissed as "too hard," or incorrectly attributed to a child’s impairment rather than properly investigated as potential abuse or neglect. There is frequently no additional resourcing available to respond to concerns involving disabled children in the way there might be for other tamariki or rangatahi, despite their higher risk of harm. This is a profound equity issue.
The crucial role – and strain – on community providers
Aroturuki Tamariki’s report underscores the critical role that iwi, hapori and NGO providers play in the care and protection system. It notes promising examples where Oranga Tamariki has partnered with iwi and community organisations, including arrangements where non‑statutory work is devolved to local providers to better meet whānau and community needs.
These examples align with what we know works for disabled tamariki: localised, relationship-based support that integrates disability expertise, cultural competence and safeguarding practice. When community agencies and Oranga Tamariki work in genuine partnership, tamariki are more visible, whānau are better supported, and concerns can be addressed earlier and more holistically.
But the Monitor also highlights what Te Pai Ora SSPA has called out: current short-term and uncertain funding models are undermining the community sector’s ability to provide robust, consistent support. Many providers are already stretched and facing further cuts, which means frontline staff spend too much time chasing funding and not enough time on the work that keeps children safe. For disabled tamariki, this can mean there is simply no specialist support available when it is urgently needed.
What needs to change for disabled tamariki
To build the stronger safety net envisaged by Dame Karen Poutasi and Aroturuki Tamariki, we believe several shifts are essential for disabled children in Aotearoa:
Embed disability expertise in child protection practice. Oranga Tamariki and partner agencies need consistent training, guidance and specialist support so disability is never used as an explanation for harm or a reason to avoid engagement.
Resource community providers for specialist support. Organisations like CCS Disability Action must be sustainably funded to provide proactive safeguarding, advocacy and wraparound support for disabled tamariki and their whānau, not just crisis responses.
Improve data and visibility. We need better national data on disabled children’s experiences of abuse, neglect, family violence and system contact, so that risk is understood and monitored and so disabled tamariki are no longer invisible in policy and practice.
Strengthen partnerships with iwi and hapori. Devolving appropriate non‑statutory mahi to iwi and community providers, as highlighted in the review, should become standard practice, with clear roles, shared decision-making and adequate funding.
Ensure consistent responses to reports of concern. The variability identified across Oranga Tamariki sites needs to be addressed so that disabled tamariki receive a timely, thorough and culturally and disability‑responsive assessment wherever they live.
Keeping child safety on the political agenda
This is an election year, and child safety – especially the safety of disabled tamariki – must be a priority for all political leaders. The findings of the Poutasi review and Aroturuki Tamariki’s latest report are clear: our current safety nets are not enough, and our most vulnerable children remain at unacceptable risk of harm.
There is a path forward. We have specific, evidence‑based recommendations, powerful monitoring, and strong community expertise across Aotearoa New Zealand. What is needed now is sustained political will, adequate and stable resourcing for community providers, and a deep commitment to ensuring that disabled tamariki are seen, heard and safe – in every whānau, every community, and every part of our child protection system.