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Media Releases
Only media releases from the Children's Commissioner over the past 12 months are displayed. If you wish to view an earlier media release, please click to view all media releases.
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3 March 2010
Give children a voice on their day
On a day when the country celebrates its children, we must remember how important
they are as part of our community, Children's Commissioner John Angus said.
“Children's Day on Sunday 7 March is the ideal opportunity to take stock of all the ways children and young people can contribute positively to our society,” said Dr
Angus.
Download the article (75.7 kb)
26 February 2010
Increasing ‘Supercity’ population strong motivation to address the interests of children
Children's Commissioner John Angus is concerned the interests of children are invisible in the planning for the Auckland local government reforms.
Download the article (89.7 kb)
15 February 2010
Commissioner welcomes move to better protect children from violence
Progress on the Child and Family Protection Bill is a positive step towards improving the safety and security of young New Zealanders.
Download the article (124.7 kb)
18 December 2009
Law changes to further protect children from abuse applauded
Proposed changes to the Crimes Act to further protect children from abuse, assault
and neglect have been welcomed by Children’s Commissioner
Download the article (129.2 kb)
9 December 2009
Demand for information doubles
Demand for information for and about children and young people continues to increase
for the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, Dr John Angus said today in reporting on
the 2008-09 financial year.
Download the article (138.5 kb)
2 December 2009
Children’s Commissioner recommends changes to liquor laws
Limiting access to alcohol, including increasing to 20 the age restriction for off-licence purchasing, is one measure Children’s Commissioner Dr John Angus believes will minimise harm to children and young people, he said today.
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26 November 2009
Too many children falling behind peers
The age-old claim that New Zealand is a great place to bring up children and be a child is not what the facts show for about 20 percent of them, Children’s Commissioner Dr John Angus said today.
“The Children’s Social Health Monitor launched yesterday reinforces what we have known for long enough, that a significant group of New Zealand children – as high as 20 percent – are falling well behind their peers in education, health and economic circumstances,” Dr Angus said.
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20 November 2009
Celebrate children’s rights
Children’s rights and opinions are to be celebrated for enriching New Zealand society, Children’s Commissioner Dr John Angus said today.
Today, the 20th birthday of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) will be celebrated at an afternoon tea event hosted by Her Excellency Lady Satyanand at Government House in Auckland.
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20 November 2009
March not in children’s interests
People genuinely interested in children’s welfare would be better to enjoy time with
them, encouraging them in their sport or recreation on a Saturday, than on the poorly
named March for Democracy, Children’s Commissioner Dr John Angus said today.
“The march planned for Queen St, Auckland, tomorrow is not about democracy, it is about reinstating a law that allowed parents to assault their children and claim a defense of reasonable force,” Dr Angus said.
Download the article (130.0 kb)
23 September 2009
Boscawen Bill not in children’s interests, Children’s Commissioner says
Children’s Commissioner Dr John Angus said today he hoped ACT MP John Boscawen's private member's bill did not pass its first reading.
Boscawen's Crimes (Reasonable Parental Control and Correction) Amendment Bill will essentially put children in a worse position than before the 2007 law change, Dr Angus said.
The Bill, if passed, will enshrine a parent or guardian’s right to correct their child’s
behaviour in a manner that the parent or guardian considers to be reasonable under the
circumstances. This may include inflicting pain on the child.
Download the article (131.7 kb)