Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The first community visits under the controversial new system of monitoring the welfare of children in care begin soon.
On 1 July, the independent monitoring of Oranga Tamariki got shifted to within the Education Review Office (ERO), though critics voiced fears this will water it down.
Within ERO, the Independent Children's Monitor is now in charge of it.
Its first community visits are to the upper South Island, Taranaki and Manawatū over the next two months.
"Planning for the first community visits under our expanded role is now well advanced and the response from police at a regional leadership level has been very encouraging," chief monitor Nova Banaghan said in a statement.
Last on the list to visit, far ahead in 2026, were the lower South Island, Hawke's Bay and East Coast.
The monitor can require information from police, such as its youth offending responses.
Police mishandling of taking and storing photos of mostly Māori rangatahi got them offside with the Privacy Commissioner.
Monitors will be meeting with police regional staff, having already met with police national headquarters prior to getting the new powers.
The agency must put out annual reports over the next three years on the state of Oranga Tamariki's beleaguered systems.
