Heat goes on CYF after Tamati case

By ELIZABETH BINNING

Child, Youth and Family is facing a raft of criticisms over its handling of 3-year-old Tamati Pokaia, beaten to death by his foster father, Michael Waterhouse.

The department is accused of not working hard enough to return children to their biological parents and of not looking at other members of the natural family as a first option when considering foster placement.

Act social welfare spokeswoman Dr Muriel Newman said a trend was developing where children were being removed from their families and shifted around several foster homes, when members of the extended family were willing to care for them.

CYF took Tamati Pokaia and his two brothers from their parents in 1999 and placed them in foster care, even though other family members offered to look after the boys and their parents were completing the required course to get them back.

When Tamati died at the hands of Waterhouse in April last year he had been away from his parents for two years and was in his fourth foster home.

Dr Newman said the little boy's death was yet another reminder of CYF's inadequate procedures.

"While part of CYF's role is to remove children from the family home where there are safety concerns, an equally large part of the job is to ensure they can return to the biological family when appropriate.

"Leaving them in care for longer than necessary is not only unprofessional, but cruel."

National welfare spokeswoman Katherine Rich said the story of Tamati's four foster homes was not an isolated case. As of July there had been 77 children under 3 who had been in three or more foster homes within a year.

"When CYF makes the ultimate decision to remove children from their biological parents they should be making damn sure they're going to a better home."

When Waterhouse was convicted of manslaughter on Wednesday CYF acting chief executive Brenda Pilott said the department was reviewing Tamati's case and considering whether any procedures needed to be changed.

Tamati's grandfather, Eru Pokaia, said CYF had had long enough and he wanted answers now.

CYF senior legal adviser Stu Bartlett said the review had taken this long because of the court case. It was not policy to release the findings of internal investigations until criminal proceedings had been completed.

"Mr Waterhouse is being sentenced on December 17 and we anticipate that, all things being equal, our review will be released before Christmas."

Mr Pokaia said he wanted to hold a meeting for families who had lost a child when CYF was involved in their care.

Tamati's death has also prompted Auckland mother Tracie Martin into action.

She is planning a national rally, to be held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch next year, based on the idea that "every adult is in charge of every child".