28 February 2007

Widespread support of Children's Day encouraged by Steering Group

Representatives of the Children's Day National Steering Group are united in their support of Children s Day and its importance to New Zealand children.

The day, held on the first Sunday of March every year (4 March this year), promotes the message of parents giving time to their children, as well as the following positive parenting behaviours: praise and encouragement listening and talking love and affection new experiences. The National Steering Group encourages widespread involvement on Children s Day.

Barnardos Taking the time to spend a special day with your child on Children s Day may seem like a small thing, but it means a lot to your child. This will be one of the happy memories they will look back on in years to come. - Murray Edridge, Chief Executive, Barnardos

Save the Children "Children's Day - Te R? O Te Tamariki- provides an important reminder of how we should value and treasure our children, not just on Children's Day but every day. Give time to children this Children's Day and celebrate the importance of children in your lives." - John Bowis, Chief Executive, Save the Children

Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs "We encourage all Pacific Island peoples in New Zealand to celebrate Children s Day. If our children are our future then let us remind ourselves that that future can only be prosperous and vibrant if we allow our children to make it so. They need kindness, smiles, encouragement, praise and mentoring so that they can be self-confident, innovative and caring. The design of the future is in our hands". - Fuimaono Les McCarthy, Chief Executive, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs

Families Commission "One of the biggest issues for families today is the mounting pressure they face trying to balance their work life with their family life. We would like to encourage all families to take time out from these pressures and spend as much of Children s Day as possible having fun with their kids." - Paul Curry, Chief Executive, Families Commission

Presbyterian Support Central Many people when they hear that New Zealand has its own National Children s Day say isn t every day Children s Day? My response is that would be great , but we often find that people get caught up in their everyday lives, just struggling to get by, and quality time with their children is not a priority. Parents can forget to enjoy their children, to spend special time together talking and listening, encouraging them to learn new things, even just fooling around. To me, Children s Day is not just about having a fun day, but is about reflecting on how we can best raise our children to become happy, healthy adults. - Mark Woodard, Chief Executive, Presbyterian Support Central

Office of the Commissioner for Children As individuals, we each have a chance to enjoy Children's Day by spending time with the children in our lives and showing them how important they are to us. As a society, we must work every day to address the effects of poverty on children so they are able to enjoy the things we want for every child in New Zealand, we need to take collective responsibility for keeping children safe, we must make sure children are involved in decisions that affect them and we must listen to them. - Dr Cindy Kiro, Commissioner for Children Note: Dr Kiro is currently out of the country.

ENDS

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