Press release 19 December 2014

Consultation opens on New Zealand’s Fifth Periodic Report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Sacha O’Dea, General Manager, Ageing, Disability and International of the Ministry of Social Development, announced the opening of public consultation on the Fifth Periodic Report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) today.

New Zealand ratified UNCROC on 6 April 1993. As a State Party to UNCROC, New Zealand is required to regularly report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on progress under UNCROC. New Zealand’s Fifth Periodic Report is due with the Committee on 5 May 2015.

Sacha O’Dea says it’s important for people to have their say.

“The report should be an accurate and relevant picture of New Zealand’s progress under UNCROC. The views of the public are vital in achieving this. We want to hear your opinion on the state of UNCROC in New Zealand.”

The consultation is being run by the Ministry of Social Development and finishes on Friday 27 February 2015.

Editors Note:

More information about how you can participate is on the Ministry of Social Development’s website. Just go to the home page at www.msd.govt.nz and click on ‘UNCROC Public Consultation’ under the ‘What’s New’ section. Here you will find a copy of the Report, a summary of the Report, and a questionnaire to fill out.

If you would like to request a copy of the report or questionnaire, or you have a question, you can contact the Ministry of Social Development via email at UNCROC@msd.govt.nz or you can leave a voicemail message at 0800 UNCROC (0800 862762).

Public meetings will take place in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in early February 2015. The dates and venues for these meetings are still to be confirmed. Please check the website after the 19 December 2014 for more information.

Consultation opens on Friday 19 December 2014 and runs until Friday 27 February 2015.

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