The Ministry of Social Development says it will ensure a smooth transition for clients of a suspended Waikato-based Māori social service agency.
Raukura Waikato Social Services Trust has lost its contracts with the ministry for 60 days after what it said were a number of issues surrounding the trust.
The ministry would not specify just what the issues were, but said its decision was made after rigourous consideration which included quarterly approval reviews conducted by the ministry, information provided by the trust and independent expert advice.
It said it would continue to discuss matters with the Trust and await their response, but in the meantime would not make any more comment.
The Trust was suspended as a Child and Family Support Service and Community Service and during that time is not approved to provide care or services.
It had been contracted in the 2014/15 financial year to provide services to Child, Youth and Family worth $1.17 million.
The Ministry said its priority now was to ensure the smooth transition of the few remaining clients to alternative services and it has no concerns for the safety of its clients.
It said the suspension provides time for the trust to consider its position and decide how it wished to proceed.
The trust could not be contacted for comment.
