Families First Will Give Kids The Chance They Need
The third and final reading of the Families Commission Bill, just two weeks before families gather to celebrate
Christmas, is one of the greatest gifts New Zealand families have had in a long time, according to Plunket's national
president, Kaye Crowther.
"Families must be a priority in all legislation if children are going to have a chance at a healthy, safe and nurtured
childhood. The Families Commission has a big job.
"There is no doubting that today's families need support - our nurses and volunteers see the need every day through our
home visiting and parenting support programmes.
"If family units are strong, healthy and function well, then we can naturally expect the lot of children to flourish and
also the communities in which they live.
Mrs Crowther said Plunket has always advocated a model of well-being which seeks to ensure that all children can develop
to their full potential to become contributing members of society.
"Irrefutable evidence has established that the early years are critical to determining an individual's future
development and well-being.
"For 97 years Plunket has advanced the importance of child and family health. Parenting is a tough job. Each generation
faces new challenges as new parents.
"We welcome the Families Commission and look forward to seeing families coming first in all policy initiatives," said
Mrs Crowther.