Abstract
This chapter explores the historical and ongoing disproportionate removal of Māori babies from their parents by child protection services in Aotearoa New Zealand. Framed through the lens of post-colonial critique, the authors argue that systemic transformation is essential to address deep-rooted inequities, which stem from settler colonialism. Central to the discussion is the 2019 ‘Hawke’s Bay Case’, in which the filmed attempted removal (uplift) of a newborn Māori baby sparked widespread public outcry and prompted several inquiries. The authors describe how this high-profile case became a catalyst for significant policy and practice changes, resulting in a notable reduction in the number of baby removals. The authors attribute this welcome decrease in infants removals to interwoven structural, organisational, theoretical, and cultural shifts, including legislative reforms promoting partnership with Māori iwi (Peoples). The persistent struggle and resistance of Māori is at the heart of this chapter. However, the authors also caution that these advances remain fragile and susceptible to political reversal.
