Oranga Tamariki has confirmed it is working with two consultancy agencies on its restructure and change proposal, which has 447 net jobs in the firing line.
The proposal, being slammed by the Public Service Association (PSA), comes amid top-down calls to cut back dependency on the use of contractors and consultants across the sector.
Other agencies have vowed to cut back their use of contractors and consultants in their cost-saving efforts, with many ministries also taking a closer look at travel expenses and catering – in response to the Government’s ask to find savings and efficiencies.
In a statement, Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive of people, culture, and enabling services, Caz Anderson, confirmed the two consulting firms were providing the agency with “specialist independent organisational redesign advice” that was not available internally.
The PSA fears the use of consulting firms would add extra costs to a proposal that aims to find efficiencies.
In a statement, PSA national secretary Kerry Davies hit back at the decision, said, “the Minister for Children maintains the restructure at Oranga Tamariki is all about putting children at the centre of decision-making. It beggars belief that outside consultants, far removed from the expertise of care and protection of children and the challenges Oranga Tamariki manages every day, can develop a more effective structure for the agency.”
“All this is doing is fattening the profits of high-price consultants and adding to the expense of this rushed and reckless cost-cutting drive. It’s just not appropriate, and flies in the face of the Government’s determination to crack down on spending on consultants,” Davies said.
In the year to June, Oranga Tamariki spent $35.8 million on the use of contractors and consultants, according to data from the Public Service Commission. In the same period the year prior, the agency footed a $37.1m bill for contractor and consultant spending.
Oranga Tamariki boss Chappie Te Kani had previously acknowledged the proposal would be “a hard read” for those who are impacted.
Te Kani said the change “goes to our core” as a ministry, adding, “It fundamentally moves us away from where we are, towards the kind of ministry we need to be. A ministry that puts children at the centre of all we do.”
Recent job-cutting proposals at Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Education have come under fire for the predicted impacts they could have on vulnerable children, teachers and learners.
Reacting to the plans to axe more than 1000 roles across various departments at both agencies combined, NZEI president Mark Potter said: “These cuts will all impact ultimately on teaching and learning in the classroom.” A similar sentiment was expressed by the Post-Primary Teachers’ Association, which also opposed the plans.
Finance and Public Service Minister Nicola Willis recently confirmed to the Herald health, education, Oranga Tamariki, police and “other critical front-line services will face an overall funding uplift” in the upcoming Budget.
Azaria Howell is a Wellington-based multimedia reporter with an eye across the region. She joined NZME in 2022 and has a keen interest in city council decisions, public service agency reform and transport.
Home renovation and real estate superstars Drew and Jonathan Scott will put their professional reputation, connections and resources on the line to help struggling property investors find success in the new HGTV series Backed By The Bros. Premiering Wednesday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the ten-episode season will show another side of the Brothersproven real estate moguls who know a good investment when they see oneas they relinquish total control of renovations to advise bewildered entrepreneurs, short-term rental owners and residential developers on high-stakes investment properties. To get each project across the finish line in an unforgiving housing market, the popular twins will back investors with their professional expertise, experience, invaluable insights and top-notch resources gratis.
We look for people who need our help to reach their full potential as property investors and who we can benefit the most, said Jonathan. If we dont think our services will be enough, we wont back them.
We have a lot on the line, too. Our time, reputation and resources, which are not unlimited, said Drew. We are here to support, not take the reins.
In every episode of Backed By The Bros, Drew and Jonathan will consider two potential real estate investments. After assessing the properties and meeting the owners, they will decide who to back with their full suite of support. Offering their expert mentorship, project management capabilities, trusted trade contacts, a team of designers and a warehouse full of construction materials, furniture and décor, Drew and Jonathan will bring every resource to the table. The Brothers are ready to help the investors avoid pitfalls, but theres no guarantee they will listen. Protégés may push back or go rogue, but if they make the right decisions, theyll get the best return on their investment.
In the season premiere, Drew and Jonathan will review a troubled renovation project in North Hollywood thats already more than $100,000 in the hole, as well as a detached garage in Burbank that the owners hope to transform into a rental unit. While only one will receive the backing opportunity, the other will still reap the benefits of the Brothers consultation and invaluable advice.
We want to help investors make the best choice possible and we want to educate them along the way on what weve learned over the years, said Drew.
We made so many mistakes early on in our renovation and real estate careers, said Jonathan. We wished we could have had a mentor to help us.
Fans can find a trove of Scott Brothers programming on Max®, including Property Brothers: Forever Home, Brother vs. Brother and Celebrity IOU. Fans are invited to stay connected via HGTVs digital platforms by following @HGTV and #BackedByTheBros on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok. DrewandJonathan.com is the digital hub for all things Drew and Jonathan Scott. Fans can also follow Drew @mrdrewscott and Jonathan @jonathanscott on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Each episode of Backed By The Bros will be available to stream Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Max® beginning June 5.
Backed By The Bros is produced by Scott Brothers Entertainment with Drew and Jonathan serving as executive producers.
ABOUT HGTV
HGTV delivers families with relatable stories, superstar real estate and renovation experts and amazing home transformations that inspire a passionate audience. For anyone seeking entertaining and aspirational home and lifestyle content, HGTV is the place to be. HGTV offers: a top 10 cable network that is distributed to just over 69 million U.S. households; a website, HGTV.com, that attracts an average of 11 million people each month; a social footprint of more than 34 million; HGTV Magazine, a monthly publication that reaches more than one million readers; and exclusive collections of home-oriented products through the HGTV Home® consumer products line. Viewers can become fans of HGTV and interact with other home improvement enthusiasts through Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok and Threads. HGTV is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, a leading global media and entertainment company available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages whose portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Film Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.
This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.
News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.
A real estate agent who is putting her career on the line over a 90-minute course in Māori culture and tikānga is being urged to “get amongst it” by others in the field.
Janet Dickson is facing a five-year ban for refusing to complete the compulsory short course called Te Kākano (The Seed).
She described the mandatory online course as “woke madness” and has launched a legal battle based on concerns that an industry body can force its members to complete training “on a subject that is only peripherally connected to their job under threat of losing their right to work”.
Proud Māori real estate agent Tama Emery empathised with Dickson, saying the course “was different and sometimes change can be challenging.”
But he said Te Kākano was an opportunity for growth and expansion.
“Doing this course doesn’t take away from anybody, nor does it ask anyone to change their beliefs,” he said.
“Just like any opportunity to learn – whether it be for Māori culture, Chinese culture – it’s about adding to your basket of knowledge.”
Emery said Māori always aimed to be “mana-enhancing” and Te Kākano was a way of doing that – using knowledge to lift up and empower others.
“Enriching your skill set with cultural understanding is mana-enhancing,” Emery said.
On his website Emery, who has had more than $25 million in sales in three years, said he “weaves tikanga and whakapapa into the world of real estate”.
He has also gained knowledge from Indian, Asian, Samoan and American cultures.
“That has only had a positive impact on my work and the way I engage with others. I can relate, I can connect, I understand. Māori culture has the power to do the same thing.”
The course outline for Te Kākano says it will “provide licensees with an opportunity to develop or deepen their understanding of Māori culture, language and custom, particularly with respect to land, and an understanding of the historical context of Te Tiriti o Waitangi”.
Another Harcourts agent said learning more about Māori culture and connection to the land was important and he saw the relevance.
“Also, the REA [Real Estate Authority] has stipulated that it’s a new part of our learning curriculum, and you have to do it, so instead of making a fuss, get amongst it and see if there is anything positive you can take out of it,” the agent said.
“Pushing back will only end in a disaster for you that’s for sure.”
Another agent, who has been in real estate for more than 30 years, said she initially questioned the relevance of the course but changed her view after completing it.
“I did it because I had to and it was required but I actually enjoyed it. I thought I knew a lot about Māori culture but I feel better educated now,” the woman said.
“It’s an hour and a half out of your life and there’s a huge positive – I spend longer than that scrolling social media some days.”
Te Kākano was one of the two compulsory topics for 2023 but has since moved into the elective category for 2024 – meaning it’s not compulsory for new real estate agents.
However, it’s still compulsory for Dickson.
She is now seeking a judicial review of the REA’s power to enforce cultural training for the country’s realtors.
As well as hiring a lawyer, Dickson is backed by lobby group Hobson’s Pledge, which is led by former National Party leader Don Brash.
According to Hobson Pledge’s website, a judicial review could cost as much as $150,000 and the lobby group is seeking donations of up to $50,000 to contribute to Dickson’s legal fund and to get the process off the ground.
Enlisted real estate agents must complete two hours of compulsory training as well as eight hours of training from a list of elective topics each year to retain their licence.
Compulsory training in the past has covered the code of conduct, the building code and dealing with customers fairly.