1 March 2007
Media statement
He Mana tō ia Tamaiti/ Every Child Counts

Giving time – not just the responsibility of families, but decision-makers too

In a speech to 1000 children and adults assembled on the grounds of Parliament today for the Every Child Counts Celebration of Children, the Hon Deborah Morris-Travers called for children to be the number one consideration in policy making and for government and community resources to be prioritised to children first.

The Celebration of Children is one of the community events taking place around Children’s Day on 4 March, with the theme of ‘giving time’.

“An important part of today’s celebration is to remind people that all children and young people are essential to the shape of our communities and nation. We increasingly hear talk of the need to live in a sustainable way. But failing to support children’s optimal development is the biggest waste of resources and the most unsustainable practice there is.”

“Not only do we need parents, caregivers and extended family to give time to children, it is also time for new ways of doing things in government and parliament.”

“Every time a decision is being made children must be the number one consideration. Government and community resources should be prioritised to children first and policies affecting children need to be measured through child impact assessments,” Ms Morris-Travers said.

“Some of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand are to do with how we think about and care for children. Our entire nation is affected by the well being of children and the kind of citizen each one grows up to be. The time has come for renewed political commitment to make sure children are central to the considerations of policy-makers,” she concluded.

ENDS

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