Research

 In Aotearoa New Zealand, the impact of trauma and neurological development on children and young people is increasingly recognized across sectors, including education, health, social services, justice and community development. Neuroscience has shown us that early experiences, especially those involving trauma, can significantly shape a child’s brain development, learning, behaviour, overall well-being and long term life outcomes. Therefore, trauma-informed approaches, grounded in neuroscience through relational safety and cultural responsiveness are crucial for supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities, including Māori, Pasifika, disabled and neurodivergent children, rainbow youth, those who have experienced trauma, and others. These approaches help to create environments that are safer, more supportive, and more responsive to the needs of all young people, particularly those who have experienced trauma and hardship.

Below are some key reports which highlight the pressing need for trauma informed approaches in Aotearoa New Zealand:

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care  

The *Royal Commission* investigated historical abuse of children and vulnerable adults in state and faith-based institutions, primarily between 1950 and 1999. The commission highlighted the long-lasting trauma experienced by these individuals, which often carried over into their education and broader life experiences. The inquiry underscores the importance of applying trauma-informed practices across all sectors to prevent further harm to vulnerable groups. [Explore the inquiry findings here]. 

Independent Review of the Children’s System Response to Abuse 

This independent review by Dame Karen Poutasi into the children’s system response to abuse was commissioned by the Chief Executives of six public sector agencies. The review found that poor interagency communication, lack of trauma-informed training, and limited early intervention leave at-risk children vulnerable. Key recommendations included mandatory trauma training for professionals, better early intervention services, improved coordination between agencies, proactive reporting mechanisms, and culturally responsive support to ensure children don’t go unnoticed. Strengthening trauma-informed approaches across education, healthcare, and social services is essential to create a safer system for vulnerable children. [Read full report here].

Disability Review within Oranga Tamariki: Te Kahu Aroha: Addendum Report on Support for Tamariki and Rangatahi Whaikaha  

The *Te Kahu Aroha* report emphasizes the need for quality, culturally responsive, and disability-friendly support services for tamariki and rangatahi whaikaha (disabled youth). This addendum outlines service gaps and proposes comprehensive approaches that include trauma-informed care, to ensure disabled children and their whānau receive the support they need in both education and community settings. The three core themes are:

1. the importance of prevention of harm from occurring in the first place through enabling iwi, Māori and communities to lead for their mokopuna and whānau, 

2. supporting statutory social work and the work of Oranga Tamariki’s frontline to be as effective as possible in improving outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau; and 

3. improving organisational culture, including by ensuring relationships of trust and collaboration across the system [Read the report]

Disabled Rangatahi and Health/Education Disparities  

This article highlights that lived experiences of disabled tamariki in New Zealand are discriminatory and emphasizes the urgent action needed to address the disparities faced by disabled rangatahi in health and education. It highlights that disabled young people face compounded challenges, including a lack of tailored support in schools, which often leads to academic underachievement and poor mental health. The report stresses the need for targeted interventions to address these issues and better support these rangatahi in achieving positive outcomes. 

From Data to Dignity: Health and Wellbeing Indicators for New Zealanders with Intellectual Disability

The "From Data to Dignity" report, commissioned by IHC New Zealand, highlights significant disparities faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities in New Zealand. The report reveals that these individuals experience high health needs and encounter barriers in accessing healthcare, leading to differential outcomes, especially among Māori, Pacific, and intellectually disabled populations. Despite the passage of time since previous reports, the lives of New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities remain distinct from the general population, with continued neglect of their well-being. The report serves as a call to action for creating a more inclusive, compassionate, and equitable society. 

These reports citing the current levels of discrimination, inequity and disparity along with an understanding of how trauma impacts neurological development, emphasize the urgent need for trauma-informed approaches in Aotearoa’s educational and community systems. By adopting these approaches, we can better support vulnerable children, particularly those who are disabled, from Māori, Pasifika, and rainbow communities, ensuring they have access to the resources and care they need to succeed.

Growing Up in New Zealand Longitudinal Study  

The *Growing Up in New Zealand* longitudinal study provides comprehensive data on how socioeconomic factors, disability, and family environment influence the development of children in Aotearoa. It found that disabled children and children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face additional barriers to success in education, with the effects of discrimination, stress and trauma having a significant impact on their learning. The study calls for more inclusive, trauma-sensitive approaches in education to support these children’s needs. [Learn more about the impact of disability on young people and their family, here]        

Children in Hardship  

A report from Stuff reveals findings from the Growing Up in New Zealand study report ‘Now We Are Twelve’, that 1 in 5 Kiwi kids experience significant hardship by the age of 12, impacting their access to basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing. The report stresses the long-term consequences of such deprivation on children’s cognitive and emotional development, underscoring the necessity of addressing these inequities to foster healthy growth and educational success. [Read the Now we are Twelve data findings here].