Rights under the Children’s Convention
You have the right to protect and preserve your identity, including your name, gender identity, nationality and family ties. The Government should do what it can to help you re-establish your identity if it is ever taken away from you.
You have the right to legal protection from unlawful or unreasonable interference with your privacy (including personal information held about you), your family and your communications.
You also have the right to legal protection from any unlawful attacks on your reputation.
The Government should ensure that information that they hold about you is kept securely and is only shared when required.
You have the right to be informed. This means having access to information that you can understand, trust and that’s important for you to know. The media has an important role to play in this and should not promote information that could harm you.
If you are adopted, your adoption must be legal. All adults involved in your adoption must ensure that you have the best care and that your wellbeing is put first.
The Government should ensure the provision of appropriate supports to guarantee that you are adopted by people who are able to give you the best care. For mokopuna Māori this means shared whakapapa.
The Government must make sure to uphold the laws that help you to live somewhere that is safe, where people respect you.
You have the right to special protection and help if you’re a refugee (if you are forced to leave your home and live in a different country). You also have the same rights as other children and young people born in New Zealand.
If you are a refugee you have the right to special protection and help whether you’ve come to New Zealand with other people or not.
The government must ensure that your views and best interests are considered in the refugee status determination process.
If you have a physical, mental or intellectual disability, you have the right to reach your full potential. You and your family/whānau have the right to extra help with your education, care and participation in the community if you need it.
The government should ensure that you have access to support services to ensure that you can reach your full potential.
If you are placed in foster care then you have the right to have your living arrangements regularly checked to make sure that they are working out well for you.
That Government must ensure that your living arrangements are regularly checked to make sure that they are safe and are working out well for you.
You have the right to financial support from the Government, especially when your family/whanau cannot provide this for you. This includes your right to food, clothing, a safe place to live, and other basics.
The Government should ensure that there are supports that you/your family/whānau can access to ensure that you have what you need.
You have the right to a good quality education that helps you develop your personality, talents and abilities to the full. You should be treated with respect and be encouraged to respect each other’s rights and values. Discipline in schools should respect your dignity.
The government should ensure that where you access education, this is done in a way that supports you to achieve.
You have the right to learn about and practice your own culture language and religion. If you are from a minority or indigenous culture you have the right to special protection from things that might stop you from being you.
The Government should recognise and respect your right to learn about and express your culture in the way that you want.
You have the right to rest, play and to be involved in things like sports, music, arts, drama and cultural activities. You also have the right not to be involved in these things.
The Government should recognise the importance of play and rest. They should also encourage and enhance access to recreation, sports and cultural spaces.
If you are in trouble with the law, you have the right to be treated fairly by the justice system in a way that respects your rights. You have the right to a fair hearing, legal help and representation.
The Government should ensure that you are treated justly and fairly and receive the supports that you are entitled to.