Time is running out to have your say on the Government’s discussion document about child abuse and neglect – submissions close at the end of February.
Published: Monday, 13 February 2012 | Rāhina, 13 Huitanguru, 2012
Time is running out to have your say on the Government’s discussion document about child abuse and neglect – submissions close at the end of February.
We all know the names of so many children have died horrific deaths: James Whakaruru, Coral Burrows, Serenity Jay Scott, the Kahui twins to name but a few.
I continue to ask myself the questions I am sure many of us have asked. Why is this happening? What can I do about it? Can I do anything? And so on.
I believe our tamariki are our future and we have to change what we are doing if every child is to thrive, belong and achieve.
That’s why I agreed to be part of a team to champion the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children.
The Green Paper aims to start the conversation. It’s not telling us what to do – nothing is decided yet. A children’s action plan will be developed based on submissions gathered by the end of February 2012.
What do YOU think needs to happen?
I urge every one of you to have your say on this. The Government wants to hear from you – parents, grandparents, neighbours, aunties, uncles, young and old alike.
You don’t have to be an expert to be part of the conversation. No submission is too small to be considered. It can be a few sentences or a collection of comments.
Get around the kitchen table with your whanau and have a chat. Talk to your neighbours and put your thoughts in an email. Ask your children what they think.
What can we do better collectively?
What do you need from Government?
Should we spend less on the elderly and more on children?
Who is responsible for giving children the best chance in life?
What works best for vulnerable children and their families?
I’d also like to hear your ideas on how we can work better with Government departments in partnership and remove the ‘we know best what you need’ approach?
The numbers of children in New Zealand who can’t thrive, belong and achieve is getting bigger and the challenges they face are getting more challenging.
If people are happy with how things are today then they will stay the way they are. If we want to do better we all need to speak up about it. Thousands of New Zealanders already have. There are still a few days. Go on, it’s time to say something
Nāku noa, nā
Norm Hewitt
Have your say at:
www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz