Media release

22 June 2011

Every Child Counts (ECC) applauds Maori Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into the Status and Wellbeing of Maori and Pasifika children

Every Child Counts (ECC) says that the Maori Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into the Status and Wellbeing of Maori and Pasifika children is much needed and applauds the initiative of the Aotearoa Equality Group.

“We have worked with the Aotearoa Equality Group to promote this inquiry and we are delighted that it is now proceeding,” says ECC spokesperson and chair of Te Kahui Mana Ririki Dr Hone Kaa.

“Maori and Pasifika children fare less well than other groups of children on almost all social, health and welfare indicators. Many of our children are living in third world conditions, which means they have poor health, they are failing at school, and drift into crime and unemployment in later years.

“We need political leadership and political solutions.”

Director of Te Kahui Mana Ririki Anton Blank believes that the inquiry is timely.

“Over the last few years there has been increasing awareness of the plight of Maori children.

“There have been a raft of community responses to address the issues facing this new generation of Maori, but what we really need is major systemic change.

“We need to explore why our current systems and services are not working for Maori and Pasifika, and develop long term and sustainable strategies.

“The inquiry is the first step in the right direction.”

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