Media release

25 July 2005

Age Concern New Zealand puts its weight behind Every Child Counts

Last week (subs: 21 July) Age Concern New Zealand joined the Every Child Counts Coalition which is calling for all political parties to place children at the centre of their planning if New Zealand is to have a sustainable social and economic future.

Murray Edridge, spokesperson for Every Child Counts said, "This is a hugely significant development in the run-up to the General Election. It is a warning to political parties not to categorise voters by age. It also confirms a trend in our personal supporter membership with approximately ten percent of our personal support coming from retired people of both genders,"

"Older people are actively involved in their families. If their children and grandchildren are being disadvantaged, then it will be affecting them too", says Terri Potroz, National President of Age Concern New Zealand.

"This event affirms that young and old have a common future. We want our politicians to ensure that future is a sustainable and rewarding one for all. That will only be achieved if as a society we cease marginalizing children and stereotyping older people," says Murray Edridge.

"It is in the collective interest of society to ensure that New Zealand takes care of all its citizens, and make sure everybody has a quality of life enabling them to reach and enjoy older age", says Terri Potroz.

Age Concern is a community and voluntary sector organisation, with a strong commitment to promoting quality of life for older people and positive ageing for the whole community.

Every Child Counts is a coalition including Barnardos, Plunket, Save the Children, Unicef NZ and AUT's Institute of Public Policy, supported by more than 290 other organisations and thousands of individual supporters. The public are invited to demonstrate their support for the nation's children by adding their names to the Every Child Counts campaign at: www.everychildcounts.org.nz.

ENDS

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