Committee Advisory Member

"The mana of disabled people and their champions is upheld by meeting their needs, upholding their rights and supporting their hopes and dreams."

Oranga Tamariki is seeking Expressions of Interest to join our Disability Advisory Group.

We are looking for up to 7 outstanding individuals to join the Oranga Tamariki Disability Advisory Group to advise, influence and advocate within the care system for disabled tamariki, rangatahi, their wh nau, caregivers and other champions.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the delivery of the organisation's strategic direction as well as advise and contribute to the delivery of the Oranga Tamariki Disability Programme.

About the Disability Advisory Group

The purpose of the Disability Advisory Group is to support Oranga Tamariki to achieve our strategic direction, ensuring that the experiences and voices of disability communities help:

• grow our understanding of the needs and experiences of disabled tamariki, rangatahi, disabled parents, wh nau, caregivers and other champions, involved with Oranga Tamariki.
• improve our practice for and services to disabled tamariki and rangatahi, including their wh nau and champions, in alignment with our Disability Strategy.
• monitor the organisation's progress on the effectiveness of policies, practices, services and strategies for disabled tamariki and rangatahi, including their wh nau and champions.
• shift toward increased community-led support and services for disabled tamariki, rangatahi, their wh nau and champions.

The previous Disability Advisory Group was integral to the development of the Oranga Tamariki Disability Strategy.

The Disability Advisory Group will help to ensure the views, voices and lived experiences of disabled people guide the work programme established to deliver on the Oranga Tamariki Disability Strategy.

Our values guide us

Our six core values guide the way that we support the Disability Advisory Group:

• We put tamariki first
• We believe aroha is vital
• We respect the mana of people
• We are tika and pono
• We value whakapapa
• We recognise that oranga is the journey

What you will bring

We are looking for individuals with knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Lived experience as a disabled young person with experience in Oranga Tamariki systems.
• Lived experience as a parent, caregiver, wh nau member, or advocate for disabled young people in care, including as a provider or a community leader.
• Understanding of the different models of disability, and their impacts on the experiences of disabled tamariki and rangatahi in care, as well as the experiences of wh nau and caregivers.
• Strong connections to disabled communities across the country to provide broad perspectives on disability issues that would strengthen Oranga Tamariki engagement, including support and services with disabled communities.
• Ability to reflect the perspectives of diverse disabled communities, including neurodiversity, physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities and impairments, as well as perspectives of Rainbow identities, Pacific and M ori, youth years), and young adults years).
• Deep understanding and knowledge of disability specific needs, barriers, issues and aspirations of disabled people and communities Oranga Tamariki works with.
• Ability to quickly foresee potential short-, medium- and long-term outcomes and impacts for disabled people and communities when considering proposals that are presented to the Group.
• Ability to advise on activities within the Oranga Tamariki Disability Programme to support the organisation's shift to better meet the needs of disabled people and communities Oranga Tamariki works with.

Membership

The Disability Advisory Group is scheduled to meet six times a year through a combination of online and in-person meetings, as arranged by Oranga Tamariki.

Expectations of members

• Commit sufficient time to prepare for and attend panel meetings and any out-of-cycle engagements.
• Respond in a timely manner to matters requiring advisory group input or engagement.
• Provide constructive advice on presented policies and projects.
• Have an awareness and understanding of trending topics and issues impacting disabled tamariki and rangatahi in care to shape policies, practices, services and processes.
• Manage regular communications relating to the advisory group in a timely way.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all information relating to the advisory group, unless otherwise authorised. Members will sign and abide to a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement.
• Abide by all relevant Oranga Tamariki policies and procedures as they relate to external quality assurance groups.

Opportunities for members

• Direct influence on Oranga Tamariki policies, practices, services and processes in response to needs of disabled tamariki and rangatahi, disabled parents, and supporting wh nau, caregivers and other champions.
• Increased networks through establishing connections with leaders, staff and wider professionals across our organisation.

Disability Advisory Group members are remunerated via sittings fees as per the Cabinet Fees Framework. Note that this includes reasonable preparation time for meetings and bespoke engagements.

Contact Us

Oranga Tamariki is committed to making the recruitment process accessible and equitable. Support may include:

• NZSL interpreters.
• Assistance for mobility and transport needs.
• Accessible meeting spaces and online options.
• Adjustments to the application or interview process on request.

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please email us on

How to apply

Apply online with your CV and Cover Letter. Expressions of Interest for these roles close on Friday 31 October 2025. Any expression of interest received after this date will not be considered.

Please note this opportunity is open only to external applicants.