Siblings who have been on the run from a Child Youth and Family foster home are back with their whānau.
Anahera and Te Morehu McLean Photo: SUPPLIED / NZ Police
Anahera McLean, 7, and her 15-year-old brother Te Morehu McLean are back under the care of their older sister where they're slowly reconnecting after seven months away.
Te Morehu and Anahera were removed from their mother Te Awhina McLean's care after Housing New Zealand found residue of methamphetamine in her state house. Te Awhina McLean denied using the drug and no charges were laid against her.
The children were placed in foster care south of Auckland and both were tested for the drug methamphetamine but results proved negative. They walked out of the foster home in July.
The siblings are now in the care of older sister Haurawhiti McLean, who said was "the best feeling ever" having them back.
"The children are good, they've come out of their shells now, they're more relaxed they're with a family member. Anahera goes to school and Te Morehu should be starting school sometime this week."
But after being separated for more than six months, with just a one hour visit each fortnight, she said it had taken a bit to adjust.
"Yeah they were shy, it was like we'd met them for the first time all over again, but they've come out of their shells now and they've gone back to how they were, like open."
Te Morehu McLean Photo: Supplied
Haurawhiti McLean recalls the day the children were taken, on Anahera's seventh birthday. "It was devastating for all of us when it happened, I was helpless."
The children's grandparents Bert and Val McLean, well known kaumatua, called on old friend Dame Tariana Turia for help.
Anahera McLean Photo: Supplied
Mrs Turia, former co-leader of the Māori Party and minister, said she felt comfort knowing the children were home.
"You know all my life I have tried to get others to recognise that the whānau are the best people placed to care for their own and I know the government or previous governments have never agreed with me because they don't want to admit that in fact they've destroyed many many lives amongst our children."
In a statement Child Youth and Family (CYF) said its primary concern had always been for the safety and wellbeing of the children. It said it had had very positive discussions with the wider whānau, leading to positive results for the children.
The department said it had been working with the whānau in order to help the children find a safe and stable living situation.
The department said the children were doing well in the temporary care of whānau while longer-term family arrangements were agreed.
Grandparents Bert and Val McLean, who were initially granted care of the children, had been unable to take them into their home due to illness.
Haurawhiti McLean also applied to care for the children, and was intially declined, but later given CYF approval. She said the relationship with CYF was now positive and she was receiving good support. She said she knew she had Dame Tariana to thank for that.
"We're grateful for her doing that, real grateful. There is no looking back now, yes very positive."
She said the instability had taken its toll on the children who were anxious about being taken away again but she had asked for reassurance for the siblings.
"They heard it themselves and I got CYF to tell them themselves and they did that was the supervisor to that told her."
Dame Tariana said some foster children did not cope well when they were returned home, but she was hopeful for Anahera and Te Morehu. She said while they were not living with their grandparents, their journey home was through them.
