Manifesto 2026 Children Plan Text

1. Legislate so that the child’s voice is central in all decisions that matter to them by using the Child Impact Assessment Tool consistently and fully incorporating the Rights of the Child into legislation.
2. Increase the Best Start payment and extend it to every child under three as a universal child benefit for the early years.
3. Elevate workforce safety by funding training and a workforce development strategy prioritising Māori, Pacific, rainbow, disabled and community provider pathways.
4. Improve access to both diagnosis and support services for children with disabilities or learning support needs.
5. Amend the Oranga Tamariki Act so that it protects tamariki Māori and explicitly embeds whānau participation in decision-making to exercise iwi or hapū authority.