Barnardos says a new report placing New Zealand 34th out of 41 developed countries is a reminder that we must do more to
protect the well-being and rights of all children in New Zealand.
“The Report published today by UNICEF’s Innocenti Centre – a world-class, evidence-driven research institute – makes
clear how far New Zealand is falling behind on a whole range of child well-being indicators. We must not only pay
attention to these concerning findings, but act on them to build a brighter future for all New Zealand’s children”, says
Claire Achmad, Barnardos Manager – Advocacy.
The UNICEF Innocenti Report Card 14 provides an assessment of child well-being across country members of the
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union. Comparative to the other countries
assessed, New Zealand ranks in the bottom quarter on many of the measures used.
“The Report shows we’ve got a real problem in New Zealand when it comes to some of the basics, like keeping our kids
safe. We’ve got the worst rate of youth suicide and this is highly concerning. We must act to change this by listening
to children and young people to understand how they and their peers get to this point, so we can identify the drivers
and work with children and young people to develop solutions that work in practice”, says Ms. Achmad.
“We must also do more to support all children from their very early years, so that they have the basics they need to
grow up well. The Report Card tells us that around 16 percent of children in New Zealand are living in households where
none of their parents or caregivers have a job. Barnardos knows from the work we do around New Zealand with children
that a lack of household income impacts negatively on children, across a whole range of socio-economic outcomes.”
“This Report Card is yet another reminder that we’ve got to do more in New Zealand to ensure that all children here grow
up safe, healthy and happy. So they know that we believe in their potential. It’s about the culture that we want to
build in New Zealand for our kids. We need to work together urgently to get our country to a better place for children,
and for all of us.”
ENDS