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An advocacy group set up for rangatahi in state care said they were not contacted when five young people faced off with authorities from the rooftop of a youth justice facility in Auckland over the weekend.
- Five armed rangatahi (young people) took to the roof of the Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice Residence in south Auckland’s Wiri on Saturday afternoon.
- The teenagers faced off against police and emergency services for more than 24 hours.
- Voyce, a government-funded advocacy group for young people including those in state care, said it was not called in to help.
- Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive Tusha Penny said she was disappointed the situation took so long to resolve.
An advocacy group set up for rangatahi in state care said it was not contacted when five young people faced off with authorities from the rooftop of a youth justice facility in Auckland over the weekend.
The rangatahi scaled Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice Residence in Wiri, Auckland, at lunchtime on Saturday – staying on the roof for more than 24 hours. One was seen with a long metal pipe.
“Of the five young people who remained on the roof… three of them came down at about 6.30 last night, and just after 10.30 the final two chose to come down,” Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive Tusha Penny said on Sunday night.
”All of these young people are safe, off site and in police custody.”
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Penny said while they were relieved that everyone is safe, they were disappointed it took so long to resolve.
Voyce chief executive Tracie Shipton said rather than being contacted by authorities while the stand-off was taking place, the advocacy group for young people found out about the situation through media reports.
Voyce, formed by the government in 2017, received $1.2m in funding in its initial year and received an extra $6.9m from the government for four years after.
It is the national advocacy group for young people in state care, including youth justice facilities.
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Oranga Tamariki’s chief executive says police and FENZ are helping resolve the incident.
While Shipton said police, Oranga Tamariki and emergency services had to “deal with what was in front of them”, it was an “opportunity missed” not to involve the governmental organisation set up for this purpose.
“I think it’s an opportunity missed – you’ve got an organisation that’s been jointly set up by the Government and NGO sector, that was jointly formed to make sure the voices of young care experienced people are heard across the system, and involve them as early as you can,” she said.
“Not only were the ones on the roof that had something to deal with, but what about the other people who are inside who also might have a grievance who may want to be heard, want to be reassured and given support?”
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
Shipton said kaimahi were sent to the scene when they found out, and are still dealing with young people involved.
Shipton said Voyce kaimahi (workers) were sent to the scene when news of the situation reached the organisation, and are still dealing with young people involved.
“[Kaimahi] are engaging with them now. That information will be really rich for all of us as a pathway moving forward,” she said.
“We know we have to respond in really humane ways to young children, we have to talk to their families and communities. We have to respond in a way that is uplifting.”
Oranga Tamariki was contacted for this story but declined to comment.
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