“We’re here to help every child in New Zealand
have the best start in life and grow up in a safe and happy environment”
(Ministry of Social Development [MSD], n.d).
In
the New Zealand context there are two pieces of legislations that are
responsible for the welfare and interests of the children as well as
protection. These
are the Children’s Commissioner Act 2003 (CCA) and the Children, Young Persons,
and Their Families Act 1989 (CYP&F Act).
The Guardianship Act 1968, Education Act 1989, New Zealand Bill of
Rights Act 1990 (BoRA), Crimes Act 1961, Human Rights Act 1993, Privacy Act
1993 and the Official Information Act 1982. The High Court has a residual
jurisdiction of the ultimate right of supervision over children are also other
significant pieces of legislation that affect children (Human Rights in New Zealand Today,
2013).
The Children’s Commissioner, Dr Russell Wills has the
responsibility to ensure the children’s interest and welfare are being promoted
and to be advocate for them. They
consult with the children and adults as well as work with the Government to
support UNCROC. The CYP&F Act
contains provisions of care and protection for children and young people. They provide assistance for the families,
whānau for the care and protection of the young children (Human Rights in New
Zealand Today, 2013).
Ministry of Social Development website gives examples of what the Government is doing for children and young people in New Zealand.
Protecting
Vulnerable Infants programme this about the government asking New
Zealander’s to back the ‘No shaking babies campaign’. As well as seeing vulnerable babies harmed in
many ways.
Home
for Life programme this is about the Child,
Youth and Families doing for children to be kept safe.
Working for Families
is designed to help the families that need extra financial support.
Ministry
of Education factsheet on ECE participation for Maori and Pasifika children
Ministry of Education website on facts.
Te Puni Kokiri
information about Whanau Ora providing
health and social services.
Information about Child
support on the Inland Revenue website providing information on child support.
Information
about children's health on the Ministry of Health website
Child health website discussing the importance of children’s health.
Information
about Childrens rights on the Human Rights Commission website
discusses Human rights.
Information
about UNCROC from the Children's Commissioner
discusses children’s.
(Ministry of Social Development, nd.)http://www.msd.govt.nz/what-we-can-do/children-young-people/uncroc/how-uncroc-is-improving-the-rights-of-children-and-young-people-in-nz.html
All of these links imply children’s rights are being
protected by the government agencies, private agencies and by the community of
New Zealand. One particular strategy of
supporting children’s rights is the ‘White Paper’ released by the Hon. Paula
Bennett (The Minister of Social Development) on the 11 October 2012.
The White Paper for Vulnerable Children is the result
of many months of research, and discussions.
The White Paper is based on the nearly 10,000 submissions sent in on the
Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, as well as close consultation with key
experts in health, justice, education and social services, and what
international best practice shows to keep children safe from harm (MSD,
n.d). The White Paper has two volumes:
Volume I sets out clearly the
actions the Government will take to get better outcomes for our most at-risk
children. It contains the Government’s
plans for getting better outcomes for the most at-risk children. One of the risks for children is that we
need to protect them from maltreatment.
Most children have a chance to grow up healthy, happy and loved, however
many are not loved, healthy and don’t have choices of how to grow in an
environment that is safe and secure.
There are many reasons for this, such as choices made by the parents,
for example, drugs and alcohol. Many
parents have no choice in the matter, parent’s suddenly unemployed and not
enough money to go around (Children’s Action Plan, n.d).
In my opinion I feel that although the Government has a strong focus on child abuse and neglect, this is one area that still needs a lot more attention. I believe that they recognise this and acknowledge it’s a continuous cycle.
Volume II contains the evidence and detailed policy rationale for each of the proposals. Volume II discusses that a minority of children in Aotearoa New Zealand are at risk of harm to their lifelong well-being. The environmental factor that may make the child vulnerable includes their developmental and cultural needs not being met at home and their communities (MSD, n.d). >> See Volume II.
In my opinion, I can see the
Government is trying very hard to develop a strategy to support children in
keeping them safe, secure and able to thrive.
However, the challenges that they have to overcome will always be a
struggle until the communities and the people start working together to keep
the children safe (most are). The
government is giving these strategies a go and even though there have been
upsetting instances, like losing loved ones and having children being left
disabled because of the hands of the adults who meant to keep them safe, mostly
the strategies are working.
The next blog will look at how does the children's rights affect pedagogical practice.
REFERENCES:
Human Rights Commision (2013). Human
Rights in New Zealand Today. Reteived from. http://www.hrc.co.nz/report/
Ministry of Social Development, (nd.)http://www.msd.govt.nz/what-we-can-do/children-young-people/uncroc/how-uncroc-is-improving-the-rights-of-children-and-young-people-in-nz.html
Ministry of Social Development
(n.d). Retrieved from. http://www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz/the-white-paper
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