Submissions

Only public submissions from the previous 12 months are displayed. If you wish to view an earlier submission from the Office of the Children's Commissioner, please click to view all submissions.

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12 February 2010
Submission on the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform)
The submission focuses on the opportunity in the Auckland local government reforms to make Auckland a great place for children. This submission also highlights explicitly building the interests, rights and well being of children and young people, and their voice, into the new processes and structures. Incorporating these suggestions into the new processes and structures would have Auckland recognised on the international stage as a city, which supports and nurtures its youthful, multicultural and diverse population. It will be seen as a great place for children, young people and their families to live. This would help attract and retain talented young people, families and investment.
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2 December 2009
Submission on the reform of New Zealand's liquor laws
The Commissioner's submission concentrates on the impact of adult drinking behaviours on children and young people especially impacts that contribute to the abuse, neglect and maltreatment of children and young people. This submission also highlights the concerns that young people themselves have about their peer group’s drinking behaviours. The research, discussions with individuals and the views of young people have led to the Commissioner favouring reforms that will limit access to alcohol (through the control of price and density of liquor outlets), seek to change our current drinking behaviours, and minimise harm and damage to children and young people. The mortality and morbidity data regarding alcohol-related deaths and injuries provides a gruesome picture of the impact of drinking behaviours and attitudes of young and older New Zealanders alike. The statistics alone are cause to review and reform this country’s liquor laws.
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2 October 2009
Safer Journeys
Children’s Commissioner’s submission to Ministry of Transport: Safer Journeys Discussion Document Submission on the Safer Journeys Discussion Document to the Ministry of Transport. Children’s Commissioner, Dr John Angus supports the proposals contained within Safekids New Zealand’s submission. This submission advocates for the adoption of best practice, evidence-based road safety measures to increase the safety of New Zealand’s roads for children and young people. His priorities to improve road safety for children and young people in New Zealand include four recommendations: a zero blood alcohol concentration for young drivers, raising the driving age to 16 and extending the learner licence period, reducing speeds in areas where children and young people congregate, and aligning New Zealand with international best practice in relation to booster seat requirements and looking at ways to make booster seats financially accessible for families.
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27 July 2009
Oral Presentation on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill
Oral presentation to the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee. Presented by Dr John Angus, Children's Commissioner, on 27 July 2009. The Commissioner advocated for children's interests to be taken into account and given a place in the new structures. The Commissioner was joined by two members of his Young People's Reference Group.
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13 July 2009
Submission on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill
Submission by Children’s Commissioner John Angus to the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill (the Bill) on Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill. Oral submissions were presented to the Select Committee on the 24th of July 2009. The Children’s Commissioner’s view in respect of this Bill is that the interests of children and young people must be taken account of in the objectives of the Auckland Council and given a place in its formal structures and in its processes. This should also flow through to the objectives and functions of the proposed Local Boards.
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26 May 2009
Submission on the Children, Young Persons, and their Families (Youth Court Jurisdictions and Orders) Amendment Bill
Submission by Children’s Commissioner John Angus to the Social Services Select Committee on the Children, Young Persons, and their Families (Youth Court Jurisdictions and Orders) Amendment Bill. Oral submissions were presented to the Select Committee on the 6th of May 2009. The Bill seeks to enable court proceedings to be commenced against 12 and 13 year olds and recognises the need to address underlying causes of offending. The Children’s Commissioner does not support proposals in this Bill that seek to treat 12 and 13 year-old children who offend as adult offenders, but supports initiatives that address the underlying causes of offending behaviours by children and young people, thereby preventing them offending or reducing the chance of reoffending. The Children’s Commissioner also encourages the Social Services Select Committee to endorse legislative options that provide support to and empower families to strengthen the protective and resilience factors of their children.
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