‘Poor culture, poor leadership’: Oranga Tamariki boss hits out at his own staff

Thursday, 27 June 2024

The Oranga Tamariki chief executive “lectured” against leaking during a meeting to confirm hundreds of job cuts, and went on to lambast some staff’s “lack of integrity”.

But that didn’t stop the leaks. It has infuriated staff who spoke to Stuff after the meeting. They then leaked a restructure document in which Oranga Tamariki boss Chappie Te Kani said he was “deeply disappointed” in disgruntled staff who have spoken out against his restructure.

During Wednesday’s meeting, which confirmed Oranga Tamariki would slash 419 net roles, sources said Te Kani started with a “long rant” to “complain” about leaking.

They said, “he lectured us like a disappointed school principal”. And they didn’t think he properly acknowledged the hundreds of staff losing their jobs.

Shortly after publication, Te Kani told Stuff he made no apologies for how this had been handled.

He said most staff had “respectfully engaged” with the restructure process, but he wanted to “call out poor behaviour”.

The breakdown

In a leaked document that arrived at Stuff after that meeting, Te Kani admonished the “poor culture, poor leadership, and a lack of integrity” which he said the leaks “exposed” within parts of Oranga Tamariki.

He said public discussion of the restructure had damaged the Oranga Tamariki brand and vowed to punish leakers.

“There can be no confusion about what is and is not acceptable behaviour. There will be consequences for poor performance and bad behaviour. I do not apologise for this,“ he said.

“I have no tolerance for such behaviour. Some have suggested that the act of leaking is an employee's 'democratic right'. It is not,” he said.

“You have chosen to place your own needs and interests above the tamariki and rangatahi we are here to serve.”

The arguments

Throughout the consultation process, staff, political parties and civil society have raised concerns that the cuts would hit front line Oranga Tamariki staff. Details of the proposals were revealed through staff leaks.

The Law Society warned Oranga Tamariki not to cut back its legal team. It said family court lawyers at Oranga Tamariki were working over time already to ensure children were protected.

While Labour children’s spokesperson, Willow-Jean Prime said plans to merge the International Child Protection Unit risked allowing child exploitation to go undetected.

Public Service Association assistant secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the cuts would hamper Oranga Tamariki’s ability to help children in need.

'These cuts will simply load more work on the shoulders of those remaining“ she said.

“No review of Oranga Tamariki has ever recommended cutting jobs to improve the care it provides. This is just wrong.'

Children’s Minister Karen Chhour could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

By the numbers

The Government’s three central social security departments locked in layoffs on Wednesday, with Oranga Tamariki delivering the largest jobs cut.

Te Kani confirmed a series of cuts to roles he said were “back office”, including in teams that monitor good practice, the legal department, and the senior leadership team. From Te Kani’s direct reports, two of the eight deputy chief executive roles were disestablished.

Also on Wednesday, ACC confirmed 300 net roles would go from its “back office”, but then started hiring for 250 “front line rehabilitation jobs”.

And the Ministry of Social Development confirmed it would disestablish another 86 roles, bringing its total to at least 700.

Most public sector agencies have been laying off staff in response to cost cutting directives from the Government.