The Ministry for Children has released its first two safety of children in care reports, covering the six months to December 2018. The abusers included caregivers, parents, other children, adult family members and - in a small number of cases - Oranga Tamariki staff members. There were 120 cases of physical harm, 19 of sexual harm, 35 of emotional harm and 26 of neglect. Where the abuse occurred in placements, Oranga Tamariki said in most cases, children were removed from those placements. Judge Becroft said he was concerned at the instances where Oranga Tamariki staff members had abused children.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 14, 2019 17:48 UTC