A Youth Court judge was shocked to find Oranga Tamariki had housed a 15-year-old in a Tauranga motel for more than a year with round-the-clock minders
A Youth Court judge was shocked to find Oranga Tamariki had housed a 15-year-old in a Tauranga motel for more than a year with round-the-clock minders
10 August 2025
Open Justice reports the teenager never went to school and spent his days gaming, visiting his girlfriend and taking a state-paid trip to a Pacific Island with his now-estranged mother to see if he could connect with family.
The revalation came as the boy appeared in Youth Court in Tauranga earlier this year.
At an appearance in May, a new placement was found, supported by an iwi provider.
Oranga Tamariki data released under the Official Information Act shows as of July, 18 children and young people in their care were staying in motels.
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