18 September 2016

UN Finds National Approach to Children Lacking

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva has asked tough questions of the New Zealand Government and found the answers lacking, the Green Party said today.

New Zealand's lack of a cohesive national plan of action for children has raised international concern and scrutiny Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said.

“The UN Committee has raised questions about the extreme targeting of only the most vulnerable children through the new Ministry of Vulnerable Children. This runs the risk of undermining provision for all children and breaching their rights to be healthy, educated, safe and participating,” said Metiria Turei.

“The Green Party and non-government organisations have consistently highlighted the need for a genuinely child-centred approach to Government policy for children.

“We need a child rights framework instead of the piecemeal approach of the National Government initiatives for children, which ignore basic standards of living and housing.

“Child health statistics show the shocking impact of policies that force families into poverty, with high rates of chronic lung infections, and skin infections.

“Ensuring every child in New Zealand had enough to thrive is one of the biggest moral and economic challenges of our times.

"This National Government treats child poverty as inevitable, the Green Party says it is solvable.

“I look forward to seeing the Concluding Observations from the UN about how New Zealand cares for children, and the opportunities that exist for Government, local government, communities and families to significantly improve the wellbeing of children.

ends

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