UNICEF NZ Comments on New Research from Every Child Counts
-1000 Days to Get it Right for Every Child-

A new report, ‘1000 Days to Get it Right for Every Child’, has been released today by Every Child Counts. The report focuses on the economic and social benefits of investing in the first 1000 days of a child’s life.

UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund) is one of the organisations which have been involved in the commissioning of the report as part of Every Child Counts.

Dennis McKinlay, Executive Director at UNICEF NZ, said:

“Recently Bill English, Minister for Finance, commented that our prisons are a "moral and fiscal failure” but the same could be said of our record on children. OECD tables show that New Zealand is languishing near the bottom when it comes to outcomes for our children.

“Today’s new report by Infometrics shows that New Zealand’s spend on children should not be considered as a social cost but as an economic investment for the future of this country.

“New Zealand currently spends US$14,600 per child whilst, in comparison, Scandinavian countries spend US$50,000 per child under 6 years. Other countries, like the Netherlands, spend less but have better outcomes. The stark reality is that poor outcomes for children are costing New Zealand $6 billion per year in areas such as health, welfare services, crime and justice.

“The lack of investment at the top of the cliff is resulting in bottom of the cliff costs. If new generations of our children are unhealthy and uneducated not only will they be less active citizens but they also won’t be able to support our rapidly ageing population. Our society can and must do better for children.”

For more information please visit http://www.everychildcounts.org.nz/

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.

The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.

UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Every $1 donated to us is worth at least $10 in the field thanks to the way we work in partnership with governments, local NGOs and other partners.

www.unicef.org.nz

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