Plunket welcomes UN report recommendations for NZ on children’s rights

Plunket believes there needs to be a whole-of-country response to improve the future for many Kiwi kids.

Plunket Chief Executive Amanda Malu says the latest UN report shows New Zealand is making progress to meet its responsibilities as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - but there is much more that can be done.

“Plunket is particularly concerned about the growing inequity and issues related to poverty. Our nurses have contact with 90 percent of families with new born babies and those nurses are telling us they are seeing more and more people who are struggling to make ends meet. The results are poor child health, stressed families and poorer outcomes for the children – particularly those in the Māori and Pacific communities.”

She said it is well known that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life are critical to the sort of future they’re likely to experience. “It is going to take a whole-of-government, cross party, cross sector, all-New Zealanders approach to turn around our current poor performance in family violence and child well-being. Everyone can make a difference and we must change our thinking, and the way we operate, to make a difference in children’s lives.”

In its report released at the weekend, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recommends a systematic plan be introduced to address poverty, particularly for Māori and Pasifika. It also sought more action to combat abuse and neglect of children and more resources invested in planning and monitoring.

Plunket, which is a member of the Every Child Counts coalition, says the country needs to commit to a national plan of action for all children, based on child rights. This is something the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended again in its latest report.

“The time has come. We need a goal-oriented national plan for all children because that’s the way to get the basics right for everyone: a safe, warm and dry home, enough good food, parents who are confident in their parenting and families who are well connected within their communities.”

ends

© Scoop Media