Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency Chair on young person in Oranga Tamariki's care spending 600 days in motel

A young person living in Oranga Tamariki's care was discovered to have been living in a motel for 600 days. 

Further reporting has also revealed other young people in state care were living in motels for up to 200 days, as no suitable alternatives could be found.

Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency Chair, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, says that allowing these young people to live in motels is not the ideal solution and they will need a better long-term alternative.

"There are not all that many, but there are a certain number that will need safe accommodation and skilled care. Get to them as soon as possible, that's the other thing as well. But you can't tell me, after 100 days, no alternative other than a motel could be found."

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