In Aotearoa New Zealand the family group conference (FGC) is a mandated decision-making process between the state and families through which matters related to the care and protection of children are dealt with. Māori continue to be over represented in the care and protection system and a critical factor inhibiting understanding of this position for them is the culture of silence that exists around the effectiveness of the FGC and related care and protection issues. Furthermore, like „a Moa in the room‟ it is compelling that New Zealand leads the world in FGC yet fails exceptionally in research that advances the practice, particularly for its Indigenous people from whom the model was sourced. Using a Māori- centered approach and qualitative methods this study explored seven Māori social workers views about how recent legislation changes to FGC and newer policies such as Whānau Ora are impacting upon outcomes for whānau Māori. This paper discusses a selection of the preliminary findings from the study, the meaning and implications for key stakeholders in the field of care and protection social work. (Author's abstract). Record #5203