Hon Roger McClay Commissioner for Children 8 November 2000

"Child Friendly zones like nuclear free zones would enhance New Zealand society," said the Commissioner for Children, Roger McClay today.

Mr McClay outlined his view to the Salvation Army -Midland Division Conference in Taupo, today.

"Imagine driving into Taupo and seeing a large sign - every bit as large as those 1980 "Nuclear Free Zone" signs saying:

"CHILD FRIENDLY ZONE - UNCROC AREA"

(UNCROC is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.)

You would immediately know that this was a region that knew about children's rights", he said.

Mr McClay told the conference that New Zealand had signed the Children's Rights Convention and that it was time for the whole of New Zealand to embrace it.

He said that Hamilton City was considering piloting the "Child Friendly Zone" idea and that he hoped that schools, maraes, councils and sports clubs would join in.

Full speech notes are available from the Office of the Commissioner for Children. Telephone: 04-471-1410.

Office of the Commissioner for Children PO Box 5610 Thorndon WELLINGTON

phone: 4711 410 phone fax: 4711 418 fax

email: children@occ.org.nz email

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