Judge Frances Eivers says child welfare and criminality are social issues and increasing poverty cannot go ignored.

Her comments come on the day of new ram raids - including one in which a digger was used to smash through the front of a petrol station in Wainuiomata and another in which three teenagers and a 20-year-old were arrested after fleeing the scene of a burglary north of Auckland, ramming police cars and driving on the wrong side of the road on the motorway.

"We'd be very surprised to find that any of these young people came from one of the leafy suburbs in Auckland where they've got plenty of food in the cupboard, where their disposable income is good, where they've got money not just to pay the rent or mortgage but to buy extras," Eivers said. Read more

Aotearoa New Zealand is a great place to be a child if you are rich, white and able-bodied. The reality for at least 125,000 children, however, includes abuse, neglect, poverty and poor health and education outcomes.

Over the last 30 years New Zealand has failed to prioritise children. Twenty percent live "in and out of poverty", and 10 per cent are "really doing it tough".

The two latter groups are disproportionately populated by Maori, Pasifika and disabled children.

"The width and depth of the inequities in child wellbeing is shocking," Becroft says.

"The wellbeing of at least 125,000 children is significantly compromised by serious material hardship. For this reason, and because this situation is totally avoidable, we belong on an international roll of shame."

Becroft says the Government needs to commit $2 billion a year over the next 10 years to improve outcomes for children. This would enable measures like lifting core benefit rates, introducing rent controls, increasing social housing and making adequate mental health services accessible to all youth.

Statistics on rheumatic fever are grim, Becroft says. The illness affects Maori and Pasfika children disproportionately ("it's a scandal that this entirely preventable disease even exists in New Zealand").

He also speaks of youth suicide (one of the highest reported rates in the world, with the rate for Maori youth 2.1 times that for non-Maori youth); abuse and neglect (69 per cent of children in State care identify as Maori); bullying (one of the highest rates of school bullying internationally); and racism.

Becroft blames the "toxic stress" of poverty, inconsistent early intervention and the "lethal cocktail of the enduring legacy of colonisation and modern-day racism" for the poor outcomes.

He says one of the most pressing issues for youth is mental health. Our children and youth - especially girls and gender minorities - are at high risk of negative mental health effects from Covid-19.

Children and young people are "often invisible" despite the grim statistics, Becroft notes.

These groups are not well represented in He Ara Oranga, the report from the government inquiry into mental health. Nor are they represented in the Covid-19 response.

There's more to swallow too. Aotearoa-New Zealand is behind on diagnosing and supporting neurodevelopmental issues.

"History will judge us harshly... for some reason New Zealand has been asleep at the wheel."

Given the country's poor performance and an apparently insurmountable mountain to climb to make Aotearoa safe for all children, Becroft is positive.

"We have made terrific progress over the last five years, and the Government's goal to halve child poverty in 10 years is very attainable."

He thinks the Government and society has finally woken up children's needs. There are multiple strategies, targets and goals in place to lift children into wellbeing over the next 10 years.

During Becroft's five-year tenure, his office helped with the Government's Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. This included interviewing 6000 tamariki and rangatahi.

Becroft says being the Children's Commissioner was "one of the greatest honours of my life".

"I've given it my all."

Source

• Stuff
• Image: Stuff

Ministers removed the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care's ability to investigate more recent cases in April to save cash and time.

These money-saving measures will result in the government being handed an incomplete report that overlooks more than two decades of abuse. Then a second Royal Commission into abuse in care will be needed, Becroft told the government in a letter.

As an example of why he is asking for the abuse inquiry to be widened, his letter references a recent video published by Newsroom. The video shows a young person being tackled, restrained and held in a headlock by Oranga Tamariki staff at a care and protection unit in Christchurch.

An investigation into the incident has been launched. Staff have been stood down and the residence temporarily closed.

"We still hear regularly of children in state care talking about abuse. It's a live and an ongoing issue and we don't want the job only three-quarters done," Becroft says.

The Commission estimates up to 57,000 children and adults have been abused in care since 1999.

In contrast to Becroft's analysis, Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti insists the Commission has the discretion to look at modern cases, just not investigate them.

"There's been quite a bit of confusion about that," she admits.

She says the government has removed the Commission's ability "to look at a systemic investigation ... going into each current care setting and having a systemic investigation."

The Commission can still hear from individuals and they can still make recommendations about current care settings, Tinetti says.

Becroft thinks some people abused since 2000 will believe their experiences don't matter because of the government's decision.

"I think it's all too easy for us as adults to sort of say historic allegations are more significant. Actually we all stand condemned I think, me included, if we don't commit ourselves to hearing now what's also going on. I think that's so crucial."

Sonja Cooper, a lawyer representing more than a thousand abuse survivors, shared Becroft's concerns.

"It is cutting it off at its knees and, of course, there will be calls for another Royal Commission to be set up to do the job of looking at what's going on now ... It's already clear from those of us that work in this area that actually their current model is a complete and utter failure."

Tinetti said the Government will not reverse the changes.

It's parameters have always been for the historic abuse state and faith-based from institutions from 1950 to 1999 - not for current care settings, she says.

These are covered by reviews into modern care providers. Anyone can make a complaint about the treatment of a child or person in care by contacting the Children's Commissioner, the Ombudsman or the police, Tinetti says.

Commission chair Judge Coral Shaw confirms the Commission can consider contemporary issues and experiences so recommendations can be made to avoid future abuse."

Source

• Stuff
• Image: Stuff

But he also thinks it is inconceivable that any New Zealand community group would have its own private investigation system.

Writing for Spinoff, Becroft said that when he became children's commissioner mandatory reporting seemed a "no-brainer."

But he says all the experts he has spoken to argue against mandatory reporting because it would stretch the system to the breaking point.

More importantly, it may inhibit children, even when they become adults, from seeking help because they fear their situation will have to be immediately reported to the police.

However, Becroft says it is not enough to advise those alleging sexual abuse that they are free to go to the police.

"It is our duty, as a community, to go with them, to invite the investigation, to play our part in purging our community of this insidious plague."

The Children's Commissioner says "knowing what we know now about the effects of abuse and its incidence, to say nothing of conflicts of interest, it's indefensible for any organisation to even begin to justify a "do it yourself" approach."

He notes that: "along with others, the Roman Catholic Church has come to recognise that the best disinfectant is sunlight.

It is no accident, and a sign of hope for the future, that New Zealand's mainline churches have sought to be included within the scope of the Royal Commission into Abuse of Children in State Care," he said.

While New Zealand has requirements for the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, they extend only to government organisations and the majority of non-profit organisations.

The law also applies to staff members of hospitals, institutions or residences where a child is living.

Anyone who is over 18 and aware of child abuse occurring in a household they live in or are a member of, must take reasonable steps to protect that child from death, serious harm or sexual assault.

Source

• thespinoff.co.nz
• thespinoff.co.nz
• Image: newshub.co.nz

"I am a library, quiet but filled with knowledge - it's dumb [that I'm not asked]", was just one of the comments made in a survey of young people asking them about what they think of school.

These insights are contained in six reports prepared jointly by the Office of the Children's Commissioner and the New Zealand School Trustees Association.

Six key insights have been identified about how children and young people experience school, and what could be improved in the education system:

1. Understand me in my whole world
2. People at school are racist towards me
3. Relationships mean everything to me
4. Teach me the way I learn best
5. I need to be comfortable before I can learn
6. It's my life - let me have a say

An online survey and face-to-face interviews with children and young people were used to gather the data.

A diverse group of children and young people took part, some of whom would be termed "priority learners" by the Ministry of Education.

The project was designed to hear from children and young people about what was working well for them, and what could be improved in their educational experiences.

The New Zealand School Trustees Association and the Office of the Children's Commissioner have offered two strategic recommendations:

1. The Minister of Education considers appropriate systemic responses to the experiences of students highlighted in this report when issuing the Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities
2. The Ministry of Education engages with children and young people as part of the Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities consultation process and commits to including this engagement as an on-going element of the process in the future

Source

• occ.org.nz
• occ.org.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

The report, released at the Nga Hau E Wha National marae on Wednesday, looked at how those aged between 10 and 16 are faring when they fall foul of the law.

Part of an annual project, the National Youth Custody Index, the report uses the Official Information Act to compile a snapshot of how well the justice system is doing in dealing with young people.

The research relies on responses from government departments and the police to Official Information Act requests.

It has been carried out for the past four years and most organisations have been forthcoming with the requested information.

The report found the number of children charged in court increased by 6 percent last year, compared to the year before.

While the number of young European people in court was down 1 percent, there has been a 9 percent rise for Maori over the 12 months.

The students also have uncovered the practice of keeping youth in police cells, and the disproportionate number of Maori youth before the courts.

Becroft, who attended the launch of the report, has described the state of youth detention in New Zealand "a crisis".

"The formalised option of remand to an adult police cell, which will always be kept separate and in solitary confinement, sometimes with the light on for 24 hours, poor sanitation - that option is simply unacceptable."

Also of particular concern to St Thomas College students was the rising number of Maori teenagers passing through the courts.

"It's been rising over the last 10 years, and it keeps rising. Last year it rose nine per cent, and now it's sitting at about 64 per cent," St Thomas student Te Aotahi Rice-Edwards said.

Source

• tvnz.co.nz
• radionnz.co.nz
• Image: screenshot tvnz.co.nz

"We judge those in the Victorian era of having a very crude approach to child welfare … well I think a lot of what we're doing right now might be judged as almost (as bad)...,"

• In the past 25 years, the number of children living in income poverty has doubled.
• About 10 percent of children in the general population have dyslexia, while for their counterparts caught up in the justice system it's as high as 32 percent.
• Those in trouble with the law are also about 10 times more likely to suffer from foetal alcohol syndrome.
• Maori children are five times more likely to live in crowded housing, twice as likely to be living in poverty.

Becroft said our knowledge of learning difficulties and behavioural disorders is growing, but we still "see through a glass dimly," and he worries about those labelled disruptive who are really just struggling, with little help.

"I think we will have a revolution of our understanding of our young people in the next 20 to 30 years, especially from the criminal justice point of view."

Becroft also finds it bizarre that it is difficult to question the decision of a school's Board of Trustees.

"It's concerning that at the moment there's no realistic way of challenging a Board of Trustees' decision short of going to the High Court … I mean if Super 15 rugby players can have appeals heard within a week or two, you'd think that our kids deserve no less a service."

On Wednesday prime minister Bill English announced $321 million from this month's budget to go into a social investment programme targeting the most vulnerable sectors of society where he says an early and bigger intervention can save taxpayers money in the long-run.

Source

• newsroom.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: newsroom.co.nz

Internationally, in terms of sporting, academic and cultural achievement, New Zealand boxes above its weight. It's a land of contrasts and extremes, though, because we also have a long tail of under-achievement and disadvantage and marginalisation.

But there's only a small group who offend seriously enough to come before the court. That's about 1800 young people a year.

It'd be easy sitting on the bench and looking through the lens of a Youth Court judge to become a bit jaundiced about the state of the young in New Zealand. And make no mistake, there are some very troubled and challenging young offenders in New Zealand. But, relatively, they're a very, very small group. And that's a cause for cautious optimism.

Most young people have loving, stable families, they're well-involved in their school, they have a good group of friends and they're well-involved in the community. These are the four legs of a young person's life — family, school, friends and community. That's what provides stability. When functioning well, they set a young person up for positive life outcomes.

I'm betting that was the case for you. I suspect that your whanau gave you a good deal of support. Could you tell us a bit about them?

Our New Zealand connection came about in 1861 when John Becroft (a widower) and six sons set sail from Britain on the Matilda Wattenbach. They settled on the Kaipara Harbour in Port Albert, that was touted as the second Auckland — and as the land of milk and honey. Continue reading

Sources

• E-Tangata interview by Dale Husband, one of the leading Maori radio announcers in the country.
• Image: The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand

Under the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, (RTA) ceiling and underfloor insulation will need to be retrofitted in social housing by July, and in all other rental homes by July 2019.

It could cost landlords up to $3000 per property to comply.

The Social Services Select Committee is currently hearing submissions on the bill.

Caritas Aotearoa manager Lisa Beech told Parliament's Social Services Select Committee there would be nothing to stop landlords from passing that cost on to tenants.

In some of those rentals the upgrades were necessary, rather than being nice-to-haves, she said.

"We wouldn't allow people to sell rotten fruit in supermarkets and then charge the consumer for checking that they actually get what they paid for.

"I think there's an element in housing in which we're leaving tenants to complain about the quality of housing they're receiving."

The Children's Commissioner Dr Russell Wills has labelled the RTA amendment Bill as "shameful" and says it will do little to improve conditions for children living in cold, damp, mouldy housing.

Wills is asking the Government to amend the Bill to include three elements that would ensure houses are warm and dry:

1. Require all houses meet the current insulation standard

2. Apply a heating and ventilation standard

3. Introduce monitoring or enforcement by local government, with inspections - rather than requiring tenants to complain

The RTA currently places a general obligation on landlords to maintain the premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness and repair.

Without the proposed amendments landlords have been required to comply with all laws in respect of buildings, health, and safety under any enactment in so far as they apply to the premises.

Examples include the provision of adequate ventilation and lighting, and an approved form of heating in every living room.

There has been no requirement in either the RTA or any other legislation for either smoke alarms or insulation to be provided at a premises.

Source

• radionnz.co.nz
• maoritelevision.com
• Image: www.stuff.co.nz

It includes some inspiring first-hand stories from those training faith leaders - and articles that examine the complex role of faiths that wish to address family violence. Look at the journal

His first annual update will be published in December with analysis by experts at Otago University, edited by a private communications company and totally funded by a $525,000 grant from the philanthropic Wellington-based JR McKenzie Trust. Continue reading

However, she says what is ultimately needed is a change in the way government agencies work. The report, commissioned by the Children's Commissioner and released by an expert advisory group, makes 78 recommendations to help eradicate child poverty.

They include passing on child support to sole parents on benefits, issuing warrants of fitness for rental housing, boosting the Food in Schools programme and offering low-interest loans to low-income families.

Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson says she welcomes the report, but we need to dig even deeper for solutions.

Continue reading