News

Te Pai Ora SSPA Kaiwhakahaere Matua CE Belinda Himiona recently sat down with new Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive Amanda Malu to discuss her leadership style, plans for the agency and the future relationship between Oranga Tamariki and our sector.

A series of recent law changes, designed to improve experiences of the justice system for family and sexual violence survivors, have come into force over the last six months. We talked to legal expert Dr Paulette Benton-Greig (AUT) to understand more about what changes to laws around stalking and harassment, name suppression, litigation abuse and giving evidence in Family Court will mean.

The 2026 Budget prioritises infrastructure, defence and law and order, but does nothing to ease the enormous cost pressures facing whānau and the community services that support them, warns social services national organisation Te Pai Ora SSPA.

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In this member profile, we speak to Andi Stockman; Mum, Nani, auntie, cousin, friend and committed whānau worker at Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust. Andi shares with us her inspiration and challenges in this role and the joy of working for a kaupapa Māori organisation.

Children and whānau, and the social services supporting them, need urgent financial support to ease significant impacts from surging fuel prices, warns social service provider peak body Te Pai Ora SSPA.

In this member profile, we speak to Elizabeth Walker, Pou Tumuaki Rangatira of Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust. Elizabeth shares her experiences as a kaimahi and kaiwhakahaere Māori in the sector and discusses how cultural connection can build hope and lead to thriving whānau and tamariki.

The People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity has released its report on the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2025. Describing the process as “a flagrant and significant abuse of power,” the Committee outlined several areas where the pay equity legislation will be felt with implications for a range of sectors and populations. This summary outlines some of the key takeaways that relate to social services.

Te Pai Ora SSPA supports the call for urgent improvements to the child protection system made today by Aroturuki Tamariki. Te Pai Ora SSPA Kaiwhakahaere Matua Belinda Himiona says the findings from Aroturuki Tamariki's review of the implementation of Poutasi report recommendations are stark and confronting – and a challenge to our political leaders this election year to make eliminating child abuse a priority .

In our first member profile of 2026, we speak to Maggy Tai Rakena, manager of START in Ōtatahi, Christchurch. Maggy shares her struggle with imposter syndrome, her professional joys and challenges and what our politicians need to do.

Te Pai Ora SSPA has announced that Whakamanawa, its annual national conference for the social service sector, will be held at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau on the 24 and 25 September 2026.

The newest iteration of the social investment model finally got underway last November, when the first seven recipients of the social investment fund were announced. The social services sector has long called for changes to how we are funded to deliver services to families and children in need. We are cautiously optimistic about the potential of social investment, but many questions remain about how it will work in practice. These include some significant issues around data sovereignty and how we measure the ‘success’ of services.

For many not-for-profit social service providers in Aotearoa, climate change action can feel like an issue best left to councils or environment groups. Yet climate change is not only about rising seas or carbon emissions — it is a profound social justice issue that directly shapes the wellbeing of our communities. For organisations already working at the frontline of housing, health, family support, or youth services, climate disruption intensifies the challenges you face.

Storytelling is a transformational healing tool that all social service providers can use in their mahi to empower the teller, inspire hope in listeners, and create social change. This was the wero laid down by author, activist and storyteller Qiane Matata-Sipu to attendees at Whakamanawa 2025.

The latest issue of Te Pai Ora SSPA's flagship, biannual magazine is out now. In this Whakamanawa special issue we consider the risks and opportunities of the social investment approach to funding, learn about the healing power of kōrero from Qiane Matata-Sipu, hear messages to our sector from our political leaders and discuss progress on Te Pai Ora SSPA’s co-governance journey.

The Te Pai Ora SSPA annual report for 2024/2025 is now available. You can read about all the work our team has done to support our amazing members over this time.

Today we reflect on the bravery, determination and strength of survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care in Aotearoa New Zealand. We acknowledge the enormous courage of those who relived their stories in the hope that it would change the system of care for future generations of tamariki.

Te Pai Ora SSPA has told the People's Select Committee that Aotearoa needs to build a pay equity system that is fair, robust and workable. Te Pai Ora SSPA Pay Equity Co-ordinator Brenda Pilott said: "We’re not asking to go back. We’re asking to go forward — with a reset that’s principled, practical, and informed by lived experience.”

There are nice little nuggets scattered throughout the Budget, “but let’s be clear they are small scale and are not going to flip the dial to relieve the suffering faced by children and whānau today. This is not the bold investment required to build the foundation for a thriving future.” - Belinda Himiona, Te Pai Ora SSPA Chief Executive

On Thursday 15 May, the Office of the Auditor-General released the findings of its inquiry into Oranga Tamariki’s procurement and contract management process circa 2023-2025.