Nine people have been laid off from a Maori social services provider in south Auckland, after the Ministry of Social Development axed its Family Start contract.
Papakura Marae is one of five providers to have lost the work, because the ministry says their child abuse protection standards weren't up to scratch.
Members of Papakura Marae agree with the findings and say they have made improvements, and are now applying to win back the contract
Marae chief executive, Tony Kake, says he's managed to keep some staff while the social services work is handed to another provider.
He's made offers to workers to keep them on over the transition period, but he can't compete against permanent job offers
Mr Kake says the staff left on Friday - but eight of the nine workers have been found employment elsewhere.
