MEDIA RELEASE
27 February 2013

Jigsaw Says We Need to Get Serious About Valuing Our Children

Jigsaw Family Services says New Zealanders need to get serious about treasuring our tamariki and realise that they are our future.

Chief Executive Sally Christie says that Children’s Day, this Sunday 3rd March, is a prime time for us all to refocus on getting things right for children.

“That means our community, business and national leaders need to be looking at the world through children’s eyes in every decision we make. From designing the Christchurch rebuild, through to deciding on ways to tackle issues of poverty and affordable housing,” Sally says.

“Children are affected by all these decisions, yet they have little or no say about their future. We need to make sure children’s needs are always considered.”

Many of the organisations that belong to Jigsaw’s network are putting on special events and activities for parents and children this weekend to celebrate the importance of our tamariki.

One such event is the Toddler Day Out and Great Parenting Fair in West Auckland. The organiser, Violence Free Waitakere Chief Executive, Elaine Dyer, says the event is a mixture of children’s entertainment and providing parenting information. This year there is also a focus on healthy eating and laying down the foundations for growing happy, healthy children.

“Children’s Day is a natural opportunity to say that if we all care about our future we have to be putting our children at the forefront of our concerns,” Elaine says.

Jigsaw acknowledges that being a parent can be quite hard at times. It can be frustrating and stressful, but is also extremely rewarding. Children’s Day can be a time to sit down, relax and play with your kids.

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Contact: Jigsaw Media and Communications Leigh-Anne Wiig 021 971 195.

Jigsaw Family Services is a national network of 44 organisations throughout New Zealand working to end child abuse and family violence so that children can thrive and families flourish.

Jigsaw’s partner agencies are holding a variety of events throughout the country. They include:

Homebuilders Westport is holding a big Family Picnic Fun Day in Westport;

KidPower is running self-defence workshops for young people in Auckland and puppet shows in Motueka.

Jigsaw’s partner Footsteps is holding a farm trip in Mt Albert, a treasure hunt and children’s fun day at Papakura.; a fun day at the Historic Village in Tauranga; and the ‘Big Play Out’ at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua.

For more information about Children’s Day events please contact Leigh-Anne or visit www.childrensday.org.nz/

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