Minister for Children Karen Chhour. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A Christchurch youth care and protection facility, closed in 2021 after a video was leaked of a young person being tackled and held in a headlock by staff, will reopen next year.
Minister for Children Karen Chhour said admissions to the facility, Te Oranga, were paused due to staffing issues and chronic underinvestment in the care of vulnerable children.
She said that before resuming operations late next year, the residence will undergo a significant infrastructure upgrade.
"Today's announcement reflects this government's commitment to improving the care experience for children and young people, and my commitment to fixing what matters," said Chhour.
She said it also reflected the hard work undertaken to raise professional standards across Oranga Tamariki frontline staff.
"Te Oranga Care and Protection Residence in Christchurch was not closed due to a lack of need," said Chhour, "but because it had been allowed to become rundown and staff professionalism was not made a priority under the previous government."
Chhour said the re-building and re-opening of Te Oranga would not be possible without the significant improvements made by Oranga Tamariki over the past 18 months.
She said improved professionalisation, greater training, and long overdue investment in facilities has allowed Te Oranga to safely resume housing young people.
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