Social Services Minister Steve Maharey is getting good at reciting the Child Youth and Family Act, but it doesn't change the wide divide between he and his Associate Minister Tariana Turia.

Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia can backtrack all she likes about whether she said Maori children should live with whanau regardless of their circumstances, but she is plainly on the record as saying that's her belief.

"When asked about why he and Tariana Turia had such different opinions, he couldn't even attempt to answer. All he could do was read out the Children Young Persons and Their Familes Act.

"Tariana Turia has said she is 'totally opposed to children being raised outside whakapapa links' and that whanau were best placed to keep track of Maori children. Her stand has not been enough to save some Maori children in the past.

"No amount of back-tracking, or cover attempts by Steve Maharey, can disguise what Tariana Turia has said, unless she has totally changed her stance overnight.

"All children should be with the best and safest carer they can be, whether this is family or not," Mr Simcock said.

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