The New Zealand College of Midwives acknowledges and commends the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on the publication of Te Kuku O Te Manawa – Moe ararā! Haumanutia ngā moemoeā a ngā tūpuna mō te oranga ngā tamariki.
The College also acknowledges that seven midwives contributed to the review. These experiences align with what the College has heard from its members over many years.
The College supports the recommendations made within the report, concerning policies and practices relating to care and protection issues for pēpi Māori aged 0-3 months.
The key recommendation in Report 2 is for a total transformation of the statutory care and protection system and a transfer of responsibility, resources and power from the state to appropriate Māori entities, as determined by Māori.