Hon Roger McClay
Commissioner for Children
28 May 2001

"In many ways our New Zealand society is a somewhat neglectful, uncaring, even violent one toward our children," said Roger McClay, Commissioner for Children at the Waikato/Taranaki Rural Women’s Regional Day, today.

Mr McClay said that whilst those who evaded taxation by "Lack of Reasonable Care", "Unacceptable Interpretation" and/or "Gross Carelessness" were fined and penalised heavily, people who neglected children were often excused.

"Children are the only group in our New Zealand society for which there is a legal sanction in the event of the use of physical punishment," he told the meeting.

For further information please contact the Office of the Commissioner for Children telephone 04-471-1410 or the Commissioner directly on 025 570-886.

Ends