Despite Ms Hayward’s concerns, the ministry’s chief executive, Grainne Moss, has praised Ms Hayward for sharing her concerns, and has encouraged other principals to do the same.
Ms Hayward wrote a no-holds-barred open letter to Government ministers Anne Tolley, Paula Bennett, Nikki Kaye and Hekia Parata in December last year, expressing "deep concern" about the lack of government funding and resources for at-risk children.
In the letter, she detailed the living conditions of two 12-year-old pupils at her school, who were surrounded by drugs in their respective family homes.
The letter elicited assurances from the Government the issues would be addressed, by providing an extra $347 million to fund cost pressures and the creation of the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children which will replace CYF on April 1.
Over the year, $12.3 million would also be specifically targeted at pupils in long-term benefit-dependent households who were most at risk of educational underachievement.
As part of her response to Ms Hayward’s letter, Minister for Children Anne Tolley also assigned a senior CYF member to immediately investigate the cases of the two children named in the letter.
Ms Hayward said the two children involved had since had good support.
"However, I did not raise the issue to highlight the plight of two children, but rather to ask the question: Is this the best we can do for our most vulnerable children? And, to that end, I am quite certain there are hundreds of children that did not have a spotlight shining on them, and did not have safe and happy holidays."
During discussions with the senior CYF member, Ms Hayward found detail was "pretty slim" around what change she could expect to see under the new ministry.
"There are some initiatives that look pretty good on the face of it, but we were told that until the new agency takes over, the frameworks will not be released.
"We asked: Do you think it will look like more humans on the ground — an increased workforce?
"She answered: Across New Zealand yes, but how it works out regionally will not necessarily be the same thing. It’s a population-based model. So, yes, significant increases and development in the north, but because our population is not growing down here, it won’t be so dramatic."
Ms Hayward said she had been told Otago might "at some point in the next two or three years" see a children’s team.
She was also told nothing could be promised in terms of changes to the system, until the new framework became available in April.
Mrs Moss praised Ms Hayward for raising the issues.
"I think the effect Heidi has created with her letter has been very rich. It’s impressive that she’s taken a stand and she’s stepping up. As a teacher, she obviously makes a really tangible difference in the children’s lives every day.
"I really enjoy engaging with people who do want to step up. I think we all have a role to play in getting better outcomes for kids."
Mrs Moss said it was important to keep up the dialogue.
"I think it’s great that Heidi has highlighted individuals and I would encourage other principals to do the same . . . because it’s only when we get specifics about individuals and provide individual solutions, that we actually get real sustainable change."
Mrs Tolley said the new ministry represented a new way of working for care and protection, as opposed to the present system which reacted in crisis situations.
"Staff will intervene early, work intensively with families, better support caregivers, and allow young people to stay in care for longer — regardless of where they are."
The system would have more specialist staff to address the trauma and complex needs of vulnerable children.
"This is no easy task, and it’s not simply another restructure. It will take 4 to 5 years to fully embed the new system.
"It certainly is not population based. It will benefit vulnerable children and young people all over the country."
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So roughly translated, another policy from the government purely for Auckland and bugger the rest of the country. Oh sorry, maybe Hamilton and Tauranga as well as Auckland, but not south of Taupo. Normal government of the north for the north.