The main purpose of this qualitative study is to identify the problems for young Māori
people who have transitioned out of foster care at some stage in their lives. The study
has involved interviews with eight Māori care leavers who spoke about their
experiences of being in care, conditions when leaving care and what their lives were
like afterward. During the interviews they also spoke about their experiences of
whānau, hapū and iwi involvement, education, and their own recommendations on
how the leaving care process can be improved for future Māori care leavers.
A further ten interviews were completed with professionals and community members
who at some point had been involved with Māori who had left care. They spoke about
their own experiences working with young people leaving care and the work pressures
which affect the leaving care process. They also spoke about the involvment of
whānau, hapū and iwi during the transition process and their recommendations on
improving leaving care practice.
There has been extensive research completed regarding the topic overseas in countries
such as England, Wales and the USA. However in New Zealand the development of
legislative change is only in its initial stages. There have been two studies completed
in New Zealand on the topic of leaving care which have resulted in two pilot
programmes being developed. These programmes have been developed to test their
effectiveness and then assess how the transition towards independence can be
improved.
The findings raised in this study are specific to the experiences of Māori care leavers.
A Māori framework has been used to analyse the findings of the study. These findings
have then been transformed into recommendations towards improving policy and
practice for Māori and non-Māori leaving care in New Zealand.
