Taking parenting to parliament

Parents hold the future of this country in their hands, says the newly-formed Parenting Council.

In launching and welcoming the council was the Minster of Social Services, Hon Steve Maharey said, "Sound parenting is essential if children are to be able to take up the challenge of further education and successful employment. In short sound parenting is crucial to creating a prosperous, innovative society in which all can realise their ambitions. The knowledge economy truly is born in the home, is nurtured by parents and supported by the family."

The Council is made up of five long-standing, nationally operating parenting organizations, who share the purpose of putting parenting on the nation's agenda.

They say that if New Zealanders want to live in a peaceful, prosperous nation, the people who are key agents in making that goal a reality must be adequately prepared and supported for their crucial role.

Ian Grant, CEO of Parenting with Confidence, one of the five agencies which make up the Parenting Council, says, "If we mess up the family, we mess up the nation."

"It's parents who build the nation's brain power, and it's parents who create its social cohesion", says Lesley Max, CEO of Pacific Foundation. Shirley Wass, CEO of Parent to Parent, believes that New Zealand is on the path to creating a supportive environment for parents of children with special needs, with the implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

Steven Hayns, CEO of Triple P, maintains that New Zealand parents deserve programs that have been tested and that contain practical, effective strategies.

Parents Centre President, Sharron Cole, stated that giving parents skills and knowledge right from the start is an investment that will be repaid through more enterprise, lower unemployment and fewer problems in society.

MC for the launch, entertainer Pio Terei, shared his deep commitment to strengthening young parents, so that they can nurture the next generation in confidence.

It intends to provide leadership and coordination to the rapidly growing number of parenting organisations which are struggling to meet the need expressed everywhere around New Zealand for parent education and support.

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