Seeds of Change: Ngā Rangatira Mō Āpōpō Present to Parliament

"I stand here not just as a rangatahi, but as someone who knows firsthand the invisible sentence children serve when a parent goes to prison.

We are not just statistics. We are not problems to be solved.

We are taonga—living, breathing futures of this motu.

But when the system forgets us, when courts don't even ask, "What about the tamariki?"—we're left to pick up the pieces alone. That's why we are calling for the Kaiwhatu Kura Whānau role in every District Court."- T.Y (Ngā Rangatira Mō Āpōpō - Youth Advisory Panelist)

J. begins the presentation to the Minister for Children.

On a cloudy morning in Pōneke (Wellington), young leaders from Ngā Rangatira Mō Āpōpō stood on the steps of Parliament with a courageous vision.

It was a historic day.

A day of mana.

A day that planted the seeds of lasting change.

A Day of Firsts

There were many firsts for the rangatahi.

"This was my first time on a plane, first time in Wellington, first time talking like that. It was lots of firsts today."

After the airport, we arrived at Mana Mokopuna, the Children and Young People's Commission.

Rangatahi preparing for the presentation at the airport.

The Chief Children's Commissioner Dr. Claire Achmad and the entire Mana Mokopuna team wrapped us in aroha with a pōwhiri and shared kai.

"When they did that haka for us, I felt like I might cry. I felt like they were telling us we were important. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before."

It reminded the rangatahi that they weren't alone; they are seen, heard, and valued.

"You are taking your superpowers onto those steps." This was felt as the Mana Mokopuna team walked alongside us on our way to Parliament.

On the Steps of Parliament

Standing on the Parliament steps, the rangatahi shared their kōrero directly with the Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, and Chief Children's Commissioner, Dr. Claire Achmad.

H. speaking on the Parliament steps.

They presented:

• The Kaiwhatu Kura Whānau role - a whānau navigator co-designed to ensure tamariki with a parent in prison are no longer invisible.

• The revised Bill of Rights for Tamariki Impacted by Whānau Incarceration, asking for policy and legislative recognition that puts their rights at the centre of decision-making.

One by one, they shared their stories.

C. and A. each sharing their kōrero with the Minister for Children, Karen Chhour.

"If I had a Whānau Navigator, it would have given me more stability, support and direction. It would have helped my whānau access the support we needed and not feel so isolated and unsure where to turn. It would have created a somewhat sense of normalcy… I would have been able to create a positive pathway forward, mentally and physically and focus on healing and rebuilding our lives."

"Having a Whānau Navigator would be like a breath of fresh air… someone who can give you a helping hand."

"Having a whanau navigator would help bridge the gap between the legal system, whānau, tamariki and social services."

They spoke for the 17,000 children in Aotearoa who currently live with the invisible sentence of stigma due to parental incarceration.

T. and C. each sharing what having a whānau navigators would have meant to them.

"If there had been a Kaiwhatu Kura Whānau to walk alongside my whānau — someone to guide us, uplift us, help build a plan for our future — I would've known that I mattered. That I was seen. That my hauora was part of the justice process."

A Kaupapa that will Grow

Chief Children's Commissioner, Dr. Claire Achmad supporting their kaupapa.

After each rangatahi spoke, the ceremony closed with powerful reflections. As Dr. Claire Achmad shared:

"The calls that you (the rangatahi) have made are grounded in your lived experience. And I support your calls and amplify your calls to the (Minister for Children) and the rest of the government to take forward your suggestions for a Kaiwhatu Kura Whānau in all of our District criminal courts.

I know that this would make a difference. And it would mean that every child who has a whānau member in prison has a specialised children's support plan that is about you, your needs and your rights."

Their advocacy is already sparking conversations across the sector.

What they planted in Parliament will grow into policy, into action, into hope for future tamariki and rangatahi.

"We are calling on you — our rangatira o the motu — to listen. To see us. And to act. Because with the right law and the right support, WE can change lives." - T.Y (Ngā Rangatira Mō Āpōpō - Youth Advisory Panelist).