1 Nov 2022

Update on Oranga Tamariki report into Malachi Subecz murder

From Midday Report, 12:21 pm on 1 November 2022

The office for the Minister for Children says it is up to Oranga Tamariki to release a review into the Ministry's actions in the lead up to the murder of 5-year-old Malachi Subecz.

Malachi was killed 11 months ago by his caregiver Michaela Barriball, a death which the chief ombudsman said was preventable.

Peter Boshier described Oranga Tamariki's inaction in the leadup to the death as a litany of failures.

Children's Minister Kelvin Davis initially told RNZ he understood the review into the boy's death would be released before the end of the month.

His office said Oranga Tamariki were ensuring all relevant whānau members have had the chance to engage before it's released.

Today, a spokesperson for Oranga Tamariki reiterated it was committed to releasing the report, but that would not happen until the Ministry has completed engaging with Malachi's whanau.