Worries about the precedent of a court decision to keep a young Maori girl in the care of the Pakeha couple who adopted her

Oranga Tamariki placed her with the couple -- but later decided it wanted to place her with a Maori woman, to provide for her cultural needs.

Stuff reports an appeal made by the girl's mother, supported by Oranga Tamariki, has been dismissed by the High Court.

Whanau Ora Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says in the past the cultural needs of children haven't been given any consideration.

She says as children get older, they start to wonder about these things -- and it's their right to be connected to their whakapapa.

Oranga Tamariki says it respects the decision of the court and has nothing further to add.