Children's Commissioner in Bay discussing "our national disgrace"

Leaders of organisations working with youth in Hawke’s Bay will meet next week with Children’s Commissioner, Dr Russell Wills at a breakfast event to discuss ways in which New Zealand’s “national disgrace” – the appalling record of child abuse, neglect and poverty - can be addressed.

At the YMCA hosted breakfast, Dr Wills will present his response to the government’s Green Paper on Vulnerable Children, released in July. The Green Paper presents an opportunity for all New Zealanders to have their say on what we would like Government to do to better protect vulnerable children and ensure their needs are met.

The Children’s Commissioner advocates for the rights, welfare, health and wellbeing of all children in New Zealand aged from 0 to 18 years, and promotes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Dr Wills says the Green Paper is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to ensure government policy reflects our values and makes the biggest possible difference for vulnerable children.

“There is now a clear consensus among academics, practitioners and politicians from all parties that health, education and social outcomes for children in New Zealand are worse than they should be and we need to invest more in our children.

“It is clear that younger children are the most vulnerable and investment in younger children offers the greatest ‘return’. The solution requires several things to happen at once, across several different services in a coordinated way, but the systems and structures that are in place make this difficult. It’s complex and will require different thinking,” says Dr Wills.
Public input into the Green Paper is encouraged and Dr Wills is keen for all attendees at the breakfast to make a submission.

YMCA Board President Eileen von Dadelszen is thrilled the Commissioner will address the gathering. “We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr Wills as a guest speaker. Child abuse and neglect are possibly the most important issues we as youth workers and as communities need to address. Our children are our future and our most valuable resource and it’s imperative we have these conversations,” she says.

The breakfast will be held on Friday 10 February at the Havelock North Community Centre from 7am to 9am.
Tickets are $25 (incl GST) and are available from YMCA Hastings, 720 Pakowhai Road.