The Māori Women's Welfare League says Māori women must play a central role in helping address the needs of Māori children and their families.
National President, Prue Kapua says, "We are the largest Māori women’s organisation in New Zealand and our story is cemented in the history of this nation. We are proud to carry on the legacy and the mahi of wāhine Māori,”
Any solution for Māori families and children must include Māori women at its centre. The League has always reached into our communities in a way that departments and other organisations can never do.”
We know our communities, we live in our communities and have worked for and with our people for 64 years: this is our strength and is what sets us apart.”
The League's first National Conference was held 64 years ago, in 1951. This year, it will take place at the ASB Leisure Centre in Whangarei from 7-10 of October.
Earlier on in the year, the Children's Commissioner and CYF Expert Panel report was released and it confirmed the alarming number of Māori children in state care.
Kapua adds “Of the 5000 children in state care, almost 3,000 are mokopuna Māori. It is time now for the Government to listen to the solutions we can offer as League women involved in our communities and passionate about better outcomes for our whanau."