An Auckland based Maori child advocacy organisation says the Government's White Paper on Vulnerable Children doesn't go far enough.
Te Kahui Mana Ririki executive director Anton Blanksays the White Paper contains token references to Maori, but the problems faced by tamariki need a specific strategy.
He says Maori make up 15% of the population, but are responsible for half the deaths of children who are maltreated, which means work needs to be done to find out why and what to do about it.
Mr Blank says Maori clients connect with agencies when they see their culture reflected in the way the agencies work.
He hopes work to put together a strategy to help vulnerable Maori children will take place in the next few months and involve government agencies as well as Maori child advocacy organisations.
