Political Policies Directly Impact our Children and Families
On the 14th of October 2023, New Zealand will again go to the polls to vote for who they think should be the government of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The lead up to the General Election is an important time when New Zealanders and politicians weigh up how we are doing as a nation. It is a time when we consider the changes we would like to see to improve our nation, and/or commit to important policies that we would like to see continued into the next term of government. Political commitments to new or current policies directly influence our lives now and into the future and it is important these policies ensure a thriving, inclusive and prosperous future for all New Zealanders, including our tamariki, young people and their whānau.
Save the Children is committed to speaking up for children and their rights
We are calling on all political parties to commit to implementing policies that uphold the rights of tamariki and support their wellbeing. Positive policies for children have important flow-on effects for whānau, communities, and New Zealand as a nation. When our children do well, we all do well.
The issues for tamariki, young people and their whānau are numerous and have serious impacts of their lives, some of these include; lack of income adequacy particularly for disabled children, affordable and healthy housing, food insecurity, and affordable access to quality early childhood education. In recognition of these challenges, we have developed five key asks to all political parties that directly uphold children’s rights and support their wellbeing now and in the future.
Save the Children New Zealand has five key policy asks for children and their whānau this General Election:
- Climate Action now for a Sustainable Future
- An Affordable and Healthy Home for Every Child
- Lift the rate of the Child Disability Allowance
- Continued and sustained funding for Ka Ora Ka Ako – Healthy School Lunches Programme
- Access to quality and affordable early childhood education for all children up to 6 years of age.
In support of these five asks we have developed policy position papers that provide greater details about the asks and why they are important for children.