Paula Bennett
17 April, 2011
Green Paper puts priority on children
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is developing a Green Paper to kick off a national conversation on how we value, nurture and protect children.
�By taking a Green Paper to the nation, we�re inviting New Zealanders to be part of this visionary approach,� says Ms Bennett.
�We can do better by our children in taking a planned, long-term approach to tackling a wide range of issues that affect children,� says Ms Bennett.
The Green Paper will focus on the needs of children and young people aged 0 to 18 years, with a special focus on under five-year olds.
It will contain a range of issues for New Zealanders to consider, for example:
- Information sharing to protect children
- Tracking at-risk children
- Greater use of schools after hours, for a range of activities
- Mandatory reporting of child abuse
- Whanau-first placements for children in state care
The entire process will bring together health, education and the social sector.
�This Government is not afraid to challenge ourselves, the public and policy makers by floating ideas and inviting feedback,� says Ms Bennett.
�If we are to do more of what works, we simply have to do less of what doesn�t. It�s time we asked ourselves when government should get involved in family�s lives and when it should get out of the way.�
�And when government does have to be involved, we need to ensure we�re responding in the best possible way,� says Ms Bennett.
The Green Paper will be written by a multi-disciplinary team with input from key stakeholders and advised by a scientific and academic reference group.
�New Zealanders have a substantial opportunity to discuss and respond to the Green Paper and it will form the basis of a White paper which will include a Children�s Action Plan,� says Ms Bennett.
�This is too important to leave to government departments, because the wellbeing and welfare of our children and young people matters to each and every New Zealander,� says Ms Bennett.
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