Where are our most vulnerable children and youth sleeping now?

Admissions by Oranga Tamariki to in-service residence sharply declined in 2024

Care and Protection (C & P) residential services provide care for tamariki, aged between 10 and 17 years, with complex needs. Youth Justice (YJ) services aim to address the underlying factors that contribute to youth offending and give rangatahi placed there by the Youth Court an opportunity to change their lives for the better without getting a criminal record. 

Since peaking in 2018/19, both C & P and YJ admissions had been steadily dropping. However, in 2024, both saw a dramatic decline compared to the previous year. 

This data highlights an area that may benefit from further exploration. Ensuring that vulnerable children and young people have stable housing is important, as it supports their safety, wellbeing, and longer-term opportunities for a positive and successful future.  

 *Note: As incomplete data was provided for 2024, a linear projection has been used to estimate the full-year 2024 figure. 

Data source: OIA data from Oranga Tamariki, Count of distinct tamariki and rangatahi admitted to Care and Protection and Youth Justice residence since 2017