A future where all children and young people can thrive
The Green Party will ensure whānau and communities have everything they need to thrive.
Aotearoa can be the best place in the world to grow up, where all children, young people and whānau have what they need to live healthy, happy lives.
Right now, far too many of our tamariki are missing out, especially in their crucial and formative early years. When these years are a time of stress for families, there can be long-term consequences for our kids and their wellbeing.
The Green Party has pushed to make sure our tamariki have the best possible start in life and are supported to grow and thrive. Over the past six years, thousands of children have been lifted out of poverty. However, the progress is too slow.
Our Income Guarantee will ensure all families have enough to provide for their children. We will also ensure whānau have a safe, comfortable, and affordable place to call home, and every child will receive a high-quality, free, accessible public education.
The time is now to ensure every child has what they need to flourish.
Our plan
- Ensure legislation, policy and practice meet Aotearoa’s human rights obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and that the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child are fully implemented.
- Build on work being undertaken across government to address racism and discrimination and increase children’s belonging and cultural connection including through social cohesion and inclusion programmes at all schools.
- Strengthen children’s voices and participation in decision making by requiring a children’s interest analysis for relevant government policy decisions, and establishing a forum through which their perspectives can be incorporated into policy, legislation and planning, particularly on climate change issues.
- Provide equitable access to social services for children with additional needs and their whānau, focused on both early intervention and continued support, including better respite services for parents.
- Ensure all children and young people can access free mental health services that meets their needs, wherever they are in Aotearoa.
- Re-establish independent monitoring powers for the Children’s Commissioner and ensure they are adequately funded, retain their independence and advocacy role, and are resourced to take on responsibility for promoting the understanding of the rights of tamariki and rangatahi under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Implement the recommendations in He Pāharakeke, he Rito Whakakīkinga Whāruarua, to protect the rights of tamariki Māori to grow up safe, secure, and connected to their whakapapa.