Oranga Tamariki Executive and Leadership Team

Wira Gardiner, the Chief Executive Officer at Oranga Tamariki, directs the overarching strategic vision for child welfare across New Zealand. This leadership role involves managing complex government mandates to safeguard at-risk youth while coordinating with various ministerial departments to ensure policy alignment. By overseeing the entire organizational structure, the Chief Executive Officer maintains focus on long-term wellbeing outcomes for families and children. Wira Gardiner drives the implementation of systemic reforms designed to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. Through constant engagement with community stakeholders and government partners, the Chief Executive Officer secures the necessary resources to support vulnerable populations. This executive position requires balancing immediate crisis response with sustainable preventative programs. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of accountability and excellence, ensuring that every initiative aligns with the core mission of protecting children from harm and promoting healthy development throughout the nation.

Thomas Ronan, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Tamariki and Whānau Services at Oranga Tamariki, manages the delivery of essential support services for families and children. This role involves architecting programs that provide direct assistance to at-risk youth and their caregivers across diverse regional landscapes. By supervising the implementation of family-centered interventions, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Tamariki and Whānau Services ensures that every service meets rigorous safety and wellbeing standards. Thomas Ronan drives the integration of community-based support networks to enhance the accessibility of caregiving resources. This leadership function requires close collaboration with social workers and local agencies to address the specific needs of families in crisis. Through the optimization of service pathways, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Tamariki and Whānau Services improves the quality of care provided to children. Ultimately, this position strengthens the foundational support systems necessary for long-term family stability and child development.

Cassandra Anderson, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, People, Culture & Enabling Services at Oranga Tamariki, directs the internal human capital strategy and organizational development initiatives. This role involves cultivating a professional environment that attracts and retains skilled staff dedicated to child welfare. By overseeing workforce planning and cultural transformation programs, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, People, Culture & Enabling Services ensures that the organization maintains a high standard of operational readiness. Cassandra Anderson drives the implementation of training frameworks that empower employees to handle sensitive cases with empathy and expertise. This leadership position requires managing internal communications and enabling services that support the broader mission of the ministry. Through the alignment of human resources with strategic goals, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, People, Culture & Enabling Services fosters a resilient and inclusive workplace. Ultimately, this executive role secures the organizational health required to deliver consistent support to children and families.

Dean Winter, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Youth Justice Services & Residential Care at Oranga Tamariki, oversees the management of youth justice programs and specialized residential facilities. This role involves architecting secure environments that prioritize rehabilitation and positive behavioral change for youth involved in the justice system. By supervising residential operations across the country, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Youth Justice Services & Residential Care ensures that all facilities adhere to strict safety and therapeutic protocols. Dean Winter drives the development of evidence-based programs that address the root causes of youth offending. This leadership function requires coordinating with legal and social services to provide comprehensive support for young people transitioning back into the community. Through the continuous improvement of residential care standards, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Youth Justice Services & Residential Care enhances the effectiveness of justice interventions. Ultimately, this position promotes safer outcomes for youth and the broader public.

Jessica Hosie, the Principal Advisor To the Chief of Staff - Office of the Chief Executive Officer at Oranga Tamariki, coordinates the operational flow and strategic communications within the executive office. This role involves managing the flow of information between the Chief Executive Officer and various departments to ensure timely decision-making. By overseeing the preparation of briefings and policy documents, the Principal Advisor To the Chief of Staff - Office of the Chief Executive Officer supports the leadership team in navigating complex administrative challenges. Jessica Hosie drives the execution of special projects that enhance the efficiency of the executive office. This leadership function requires maintaining high-level relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate smooth organizational operations. Through the synthesis of complex data into actionable insights, the Principal Advisor To the Chief of Staff - Office of the Chief Executive Officer enables the executive team to focus on core mission objectives. Ultimately, this position ensures the executive office functions with precision and strategic clarity.

Elizabeth Scurr, the Chief Financial Officer at Oranga Tamariki, directs the financial planning, budgeting, and fiscal accountability processes for the entire ministry. This role involves managing the allocation of government funding to ensure that resources reach the most critical areas of child support and family services. By overseeing financial reporting and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the transparency and integrity of the organization's fiscal operations. Elizabeth Scurr drives the development of cost-effective strategies that maximize the impact of every dollar spent on youth welfare programs. This leadership position requires constant collaboration with other C-suite executives to align financial resources with strategic priorities. Through the rigorous monitoring of expenditures and revenue streams, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the long-term financial sustainability of the ministry. Ultimately, this executive role provides the fiscal foundation necessary for the organization to fulfill its mission of protecting children and supporting families across New Zealand.

Emily Hockly, the Chief Legal Officer at Oranga Tamariki, directs the legal strategy and regulatory compliance framework for the ministry. This role involves providing expert counsel on legislation related to child protection, family law, and youth justice. By overseeing the legal department, the Chief Legal Officer ensures that all organizational actions align with national laws and human rights standards. Emily Hockly drives the management of litigation and legal risks, protecting the ministry's ability to perform its essential duties. This leadership position requires collaborating with government agencies and legal bodies to navigate complex regulatory environments. Through the proactive identification of legal challenges, the Chief Legal Officer safeguards the interests of the children and families served by the organization. Ultimately, this executive role provides the necessary legal guidance to ensure that all programs and interventions are conducted with full adherence to the law, maintaining public trust and organizational integrity.