Green Paper for Vulnerable Children

Every child deserves the chance to thrive, belong and achieve but not every child gets that opportunity in New Zealand.

How we change that is the single most important debate this country can have.

It’s about New Zealand’s children; about how we care for and protect them, the trade-offs and sacrifices we’re prepared to make and the opportunities we want them to have.

The Green Paper for Vulnerable Children released on 27 July 2011 by Minister Bennett is a nationwide discussion and consultation document. The paper poses challenging questions about how the government can improve policies and services in New Zealand so that every child thrives, belongs and achieves.

The Families Commission believes any Children’s Action Plan must recognise that children are part of their family, whānau, hapu and iwi. To help New Zealand’s most vulnerable children we have to help the whole family.

We urge that the Green Paper should be viewed as an opportunity for all New Zealanders to work together to find a non-partisan solution.