Families Commission has potential to make a difference

The Families Commission has the potential to make a positive contribution to outcomes for New Zealand children, according to Plunket's chief executive, Paul Baigent.

Mr Baigent said that family support issues accounted for many of the health and societal problems of young children.

"If the Commission can assist in identifying and channelling much-needed resources to alleviate these problems, then its introduction will have been positive legislation.

"It is incredible to see how little support families receive when we know that the first three years of children's lives are the most crucial period in their development.

"The billions of dollars spent on education and other sectors, could be even more effective if on reaching school age, all children could claim to have had a stable, safe, and nurturing family life during their first five years," he said.

Mr Baigent said that the Families Commission would be in an ideal position to ensure that the positive work undertaken by so many agencies happened in the most effective manner.

"All policy must put children and families first, if it is to be of benefit."

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