The public service union is accusing Oranga Tamariki of using recent cost-cutting to "downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles".
Last week Oranga Tamariki announced it was proposing to cut hundreds of roles in an effort to meet the Government's saving expectations.
The net reduction of roles is 447 with 632 positions being disestablished, but 185 new positions being created.
Of the 632 roles, 24 percent are managerial roles, 34 percent are advisory roles and 29 percent are from the 'enabling services' function.
While 70 of the jobs being axed are vacant, the cuts still represent a 9 percent reduction in Oranga Tamariki's workforce.
On Friday the Public Service Association (PSA) said 21 specialist Māori roles are included in the proposal.
"This is simply irresponsible and reckless," said Janice Panoho Te Kaihautū Māori for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
"How can it be that an organisation charged with supporting vulnerable rangatahi and tamariki, many of whom are Māori, would think now is the right time to remove specialist roles?"
Specialist roles proposed to be disestablished are:
- Regional Māori Practice Coach (6)
- Senior Advisor Iwi and Māori engagement (4)
- Kaiarahi Regional Cultural Advisor (1)
- Poutiaki Māori Learning (2)
- Manager Māori Practice Advice (1)
- National Māori Practice Advisors (2)
- Advisor Treaty Response Unit (1)
- Director Treaty Response (1)
- Principal Advisor Treaty Response (1)
- Senior Advisor Treaty Response (1)
- Principal Advisor Communications Māori (1)
Panoho also hit out at Oranga Tamariki's claims the cuts are part of the "next stage of cultural capability development".
"The consultation document states that 'our approach to Te Ao Māori has now reached a state of maturity that means we can move to the next stage of cultural capability development'
"It's simply wrong to claim that Oranga Tamariki has reached a 'state of maturity' in Te Ao Māori.
"Cultural capability is all about learning how to respect cultures and knowing how to behave appropriately. It's not necessarily an endpoint but a continued process of improvement. This should be standard practice and built into an organisation through continual training and development for new and existing staff so they keep improving how they deliver their work," she said.
Panoho added the document provides "scant evidence or explanation that the improvement is well embedded and that now is the right time to rely less on the Māori Specialist roles".
"How can it be with some two-thirds of rangatahi and tamariki in care being Māori?"
"Māori specialist roles are fundamental to improving cultural capability in te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and te ao Māori, providing support and guidance to kaimahi Māori and kaimahi non- Māori, building and maintaining relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau, ensuring the voices of Māori are heard, and ultimately working towards achieving better outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
"The mana, matauranga Māori, experience and skills that all kaimahi Māori in these roles bring should be valued by Oranga Tamariki and not simply done away with.
"The ripple effect of slashing an already small group of Māori specialist roles will be felt throughout the organisation, will impact on workload and ultimately impact on tamariki, rangatahi and whānau," Panoho said.
Consultation on the proposed changes began last week and ends on May 15 with confirmation at the end of June.
Last week Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive Chappie Te Kani said the proposed new structure is about moving the organisation towards the "kind of Ministry we need to be".
"I want to be clear. The change I am proposing is not about tinkering around the edges. This change goes to our core as a Ministry. It fundamentally moves us away from where we are..." Te Kani said.
"A Ministry that puts children at the centre of all we do. A Ministry who doesn't just occasionally work with communities or sees devolution of decision-making and resources as optional, it makes it our BAU.
"A Ministry who is focused on our core purpose. And a place where people are empowered to do their jobs to the best of their ability."
Te Kani acknowledged "for some, this proposal will be a hard read".
"For the 632 people who may be affected by this proposal and whose role may change, it will be hardest.
"The change also delivers on the savings targets set by the Government. At this stage these are proposed changes, once consultation with staff is completed, final decisions will be made."
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins called the cuts "devasting" and accused the Government of having its priorities wrong.
"Devastating news for staff working with some of our most vulnerable children today," Hipkins said at the time.
"The people losing their jobs at Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Education do amazing work.
"They have homes and families too. Once again we see how wrong this government's priorities are."
Oranga Tamariki is the latest in a slew of public sector services to axe roles in an effort to meet the Government's mandated 6.5 to 7.5 percent cost cuts.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment recently announced it is proposing getting rid of up to 286 roles with further cuts possible.
The Department of Internal Affairs, meanwhile, is proposing axing more than 400 people, most of whom were working on Three Waters which will be gone by the middle of the year.
The Ministry of Health also recently revealed more than 100 jobs were being axed under a cost-cutting proposal.
