Parents and carers

Parents and carers have a critical influence on what children experience and on their future outcomes.

The quality of care affects children’s health, school achievement, self-esteem, attachment with others, future relationships and how they make friends and co-operate with others. Children who do not get enough care and nurturing may have difficulty as adults parenting their own children.

Parenting can be complicated; family life can be challenging and difficult and parents may need support at different stages of their children’s development. Time constraints, arranging childcare, employment, unemployment, housing, transport, and competing family responsibilities place significant pressures on parents. Additionally, financial stress is a continual feature of life for some families and whānau.

Reports and resources in this theme explore the challenges and opportunities of different parenting roles, such as sole mothers, fathering, grandparenting – and the wide range of issues facing parents in New Zealand today.

Families and Whānau Status Report 2013
Towards measuring the wellbeing of families and whānau

The Families and Whānau Status Report is the first in a series that aims to enrich our understanding of family and whānau wellbeing.
RESEARCH REPORTS
Mon 5 Aug, 2013
Download Families and Whānau Status Report 2013 (3.43 MB)
Carers Strategy Action Plan 2013-2018
Submission to the Ministry of Social Development

The Carers Strategy dates from 2008. The Action Plan 2013-2018 is the second aimed at progressing it.
SUBMISSIONS
Fri 2 Aug, 2013
Download Submission on the Carers Strategy Action Plan (319.58 KB)
Disabled parents
Diversity, experiences, and support needs

This resource shares knowledge about the needs and experiences of disabled parents, and can be used by government and service providers, as well as by parents.
RESEARCH REPORTS
Tue 27 Nov, 2012
Download Disabled parents – Diversity, experiences and support needs (913.1 KB)
Pacific families and problem debt

This research looks at how Pacific families manage their finances. The information can be used by government and providers as they design future initiatives with Pacific families.
RESEARCH REPORTS
Sat 24 Nov, 2012
Download Pacific families and problem debt (1.3 MB)
Evidence Brief 01 – Teen Births
Regional and national trends

This report looks at teenage birth rates over time, across regions and by age of mother, and includes data about a second or subsequent birth to a teenage mother.
BRIEFS AND STATISTICS
Thu 15 Nov, 2012
Download Teen Births evidence brief (464.96 KB)
Fact Sheet 02 – Teen Births
Regional and national trends

This Fact Sheet provides summary information from our research report on national and regional trends in teenage birth rates –
BRIEFS AND STATISTICS
Thu 15 Nov, 2012
Download Teen Births fact sheet (1.53 MB)
Paying family carers of disabled adult children
Submission to the Ministry of Health

In this submission, the Families Commission supports paying carers, and favours a scheme whereby the money goes first to the disabled person, allowing the disabled person to decide who will be their paid carer.
SUBMISSIONS
Thu 1 Nov, 2012
Download Paying family carers of disabled adult children (340.11 KB)
Tūpuna – Ngā Kaitiaki Mokopuna
A resource for Māori grandparents

This resource explores the experiences of Māori grandparents in New Zealand. It describes the pleasures and pressures of grandparenting and the significant role grandparents play in the lives of whānau. This includes providing support, sharing resources, nurturing mokopuna, and teaching te reo, whakapapa, history and tikanga.
RESEARCH REPORTS
Thu 1 Nov, 2012
Download Tūpuna – Ngā Kaitiaki Mokopuna (986.75 KB)
Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill
Submission to the Government Administration Select Committee

The Bill removes the most significant remaining legislative discrimination against same-sex couples, and eases potential problems for children adopted by them.
SUBMISSIONS
Fri 26 Oct, 2012
Download Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill (235.5 KB)
Snapshot 16-12: Teen Pregnancy and Parenting

Becoming a parent at a young age brings real challenges but with the right support teen parents can achieve good outcomes. We need to build more deliberate connections to make better use of cu
SNAPSHOTS
Mon 8 Oct, 2012
Download Snapshot 16-12: Teen Pregnancy and Parenting (217.09 KB)

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