Articles tagged with Children
New Zealand Introduces Online Safety Bill to Protect Children Under 16 on Social Media
1 day ago | 80 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing the Online Safety Bill to ban under-16s from social media and hold technology companies accountable for protecting children online. The Bill mandates high-risk platforms to verify users' ages, assess and report risks to children, and imposes penalties up to 10% of global revenue for non-compliance, while establishing an independent regulator. It aims to align with international standards, includes emerging technologies like AI companions, and supports education efforts to help families navigate online safety.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Erica Stanford Online Safety Bill New Zealand Government social media children’s safety technology companies AI companion platforms Department of Internal Affairs education ministerAuckland Cuts Child Dental Surgery Waitlist by Over 1,400 for Faster Care
4 days ago | 113 viewsThe number of children waiting for dental surgery in Auckland has dropped from 2,200 to 743, significantly reducing wait times. This improvement is due to initiatives such as increased theatre capacity, better support for families, and a pilot program offering publicly funded sedation for dental treatment as an alternative to general anaesthetic. These efforts have freed up hospital resources for more urgent cases and ensured faster access to dental care for children.
Tags: Matt Doocey Auckland dental treatment children surgical waitlist sedation healthcare oral health hospital capacity dental surgeryAuckland Cuts Child Dental Surgery Waitlist by Over 1,400 for Faster Care
4 days ago | 89 viewsThe number of children waiting for dental surgery in Auckland has dropped by over 1,400, reaching its lowest level in years due to various initiatives like increased theatre capacity and better collaboration between hospital and community teams. A pilot program offering publicly funded sedation for dental treatment has provided an alternative to general anaesthetic, helping 340 children receive faster care and reducing the surgical waitlist. These efforts have freed up hospital capacity for more urgent cases and improved timely access to dental treatment for children.
Tags: Matt Doocey Auckland dental treatment children surgical waitlist sedation oral health hospital capacity healthcare access dental surgeryAttorney-General Extends Deadline for Phillips Children Inquiry Final Report
4 weeks ago | 219 viewsThe Attorney-General has extended the deadline for the Public Inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children by one month to clarify a specific matter, without changing other terms of reference. The Inquiry, praised for its thorough report and careful consideration of the children’s welfare, submitted its initial findings on 21 July. The Attorney-General will review the final report for potential redactions before presenting it to the House of Representatives.
Tags: Public Inquiry Phillips children Judith Collins Simon Moore Mr Bishop Inquiries Act Terms of Reference House of RepresentativesFinal Report on Phillips Children Disappearance Presented to Attorney-General
1 month ago | 327 viewsThe final report of the Public Inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children has been presented to the Governor-General’s office and delivered to Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop. The Attorney-General will review the report for necessary redactions due to suppression orders and the welfare of the children before presenting it to the House of Representatives. The Government will carefully consider the Inquiry’s recommendations and respond in the coming weeks, with thanks extended to the Inquiry Chair, Honourable Justice Simon Moore KC, and his team.
Tags: Phillips children Public Inquiry Chris Bishop Judith Collins House of Representatives suppression orders Family Court Justice Simon MooreJane Searle Appointed New Children’s Commissioner to Advocate for Kids' Wellbeing
1 month ago | 394 viewsJane Searle has been appointed Children’s Commissioner, bringing over 15 years of experience in child protection, including roles as chief executive of Child Matters, a police detective, and legal professional. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston highlighted Ms Searle’s deep understanding of children’s issues and her capability to advocate for their wellbeing. Ms Searle will begin her five-year term on 1 August 2026, succeeding Dr Claire Achmad, who was thanked for her dedicated service.
Tags: Jane Searle Louise Upston Claire Achmad Child Matters Children’s Commissioner Social Development Employment Minister New Zealand Police barrister solicitorNew Zealand Updates Transport Rules: Kids on Footpaths & E-Scooters in Cycle Lanes
1 month ago | 427 viewsThe New Zealand Government has approved transport rule changes allowing children aged 12 and under to ride bikes on footpaths accompanied by an adult, and permitting e-scooters in cycle lanes, following public consultation. Other updates include a simplified 1.5-metre minimum overtaking gap for vehicles passing cyclists and horse riders, and a new rule requiring drivers to give way to buses leaving stops in areas with speed limits of 60 km/h or less. These reforms aim to create safer streets, clearer rules, and reduce bureaucracy, with implementation expected by the end of the year.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Government Transport Minister children cycle lanes footpaths road safety Land Transport Rules ReformBudget 2026 Boosts Support for Children with High Needs and Families
2 months ago | 616 viewsBudget 2026 allocates $93.5 million over four years, plus $0.8 million in capital funding, to enhance support for children and young people with high and complex needs. This investment aims to improve stability in care, prevent placement breakdowns, and provide earlier, more intensive support for vulnerable youth and their families. The government emphasizes that this approach will reduce the need for more restrictive and costly care while addressing the increasing challenges faced by these children.
Tags: Budget 2026 children young people high support needs Karen Chhour mental wellbeing disability specialist care clinical support vulnerablePharmac Proposes Expanded Flu Vaccine Funding for NZ Children and Seniors in 2027
3 months ago | 594 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour supports Pharmac’s proposal to expand New Zealand’s vaccine program by funding flu vaccines for children aged 6 months to 5 years and securing supply for 17 vaccines and one diagnostic test. The proposal includes changing vaccine brands to enhance protection, particularly for older adults and at-risk groups, and aims to make over 1.5 million people eligible for funded vaccines in the first year. Pharmac is seeking public and professional feedback before finalizing the proposal, with changes expected to take effect from April and July 2027.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac New Zealand flu vaccine children meningococcal ACWY pneumococcal vaccine Immunisation Advisory Committee vaccine funding National Immunisation ScheduleNew Zealand Welcomes Lao Deputy PM to Strengthen 60 Years of Partnership
3 months ago | 669 viewsMinister Winston Peters welcomed Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongsavan Phomvihane on his first official visit to New Zealand, highlighting their long-standing development partnership focused on unexploded ordnance clearance, economic growth, and education. During the visit, Peters announced support for rural communities through the Partnering for Impact programme in collaboration with local NGOs to improve livelihoods and food security. Their discussions also covered regional cooperation, trade, education, and people-to-people links, reinforcing over 60 years of diplomatic relations and New Zealand's commitment to Southeast Asia.
Tags: Winston Peters Thongsavan Phomvihane New Zealand Lao PDR Deputy Prime Minister ASEAN Save the Children World Vision Christian Blind Mission Partnering for ImpactNew Zealand Boosts Specialist Paediatric Palliative Care for Seriously Ill Children
3 months ago | 596 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing $15.5 million over four years to establish nationally consistent specialist paediatric palliative care teams across both islands, improving access to compassionate care for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families closer to home. These teams, including various healthcare specialists, will support and train local providers to deliver care in communities, reducing hospital stays and easing emotional, physical, and financial burdens. The new services will begin rolling out from mid-2027, with interim funding provided to existing services like Rei Kōtuku to maintain support during the transition.
Tags: Simeon Brown Rei Kōtuku Health Minister paediatric palliative care New Zealand Starship Children’s Hospital Health New Zealand clinical nurse specialists nurse practitioners clinical psychologistsGovernment Advances Child Safety with New Training and Early Childhood Protections
3 months ago | 661 viewsThe Government is advancing improvements to the children’s system, implementing recommendations from the Dame Karen Poutasi Review to enhance child safety. Key initiatives include establishing an inter-agency hub for information sharing on at-risk children, rolling out foundational child protection training for workers, and strengthening early childhood education centres’ child protection policies. Additionally, efforts are underway to promote timely abuse reporting and clarify privacy laws to support information sharing for child safety.
Tags: Louise Upston Dame Karen Poutasi Child Poverty Reduction Minister Education Review Office Ministry of Education Office of the Privacy Commissioner Cabinet ERO Poutasi Review Core Children’s WorkersAnzac Stories: Interactive Digital History for Kiwi Kids to Explore Anzac Heroes
4 months ago | 675 viewsA new digital initiative called Anzac Stories has launched, offering children an engaging online experience to explore New Zealand’s Anzac histories through archival photographs, maps, timelines, and minigames. Created by Archives New Zealand and the National Library, the platform highlights diverse heroes from past conflicts and provides historically accurate information accessible from home or school. The project was developed with student input to ensure it appeals to young learners, encouraging families and educators to utilize this rich educational resource.
Tags: Anzac Stories Brooke van Velden Archives New Zealand National Library Anzac histories digital initiative Kiwi children Belmont School Adventure School New Zealand conflictsEasier, Affordable Kids’ Health Treatment via Community Pharmacies in NZ from June
4 months ago | 857 viewsFrom June, New Zealand will expand funded treatment services through community pharmacies to provide easier and more affordable care for children’s common health conditions, reducing reliance on GP appointments. Pharmacists will be authorized to assess patients and supply subsidized medicines for issues like pain, fever, scabies, and urinary tract infections, supported by a $5 million annual fund to ensure nationwide availability. This initiative aims to improve timely access to healthcare, especially in rural and underserved areas, by leveraging pharmacists as accessible and trusted health professionals.
Tags: Simeon Brown David Seymour Health New Zealand Pharmacists community pharmacies GP appointments Extended Pharmacy Services Fund Pharmaceutical Schedule New Zealand health children's healthcareAll Young People Safely Descend from Korowai Manaaki Rooftop After Incident
4 months ago | 754 viewsAll young people who accessed the rooftop of the Korowai Manaaki residence have safely come down due to the dedicated efforts of on-site staff. Minister for Children Karen Chhour praised the multi-agency collaboration between Oranga Tamariki, Police, and Fire and Emergency for their professional and effective response. She expressed relief that public safety was maintained and commended the facility and responders for their excellent handling of the situation.
Tags: Korowai Manaaki Oranga Tamariki Police Fire and Emergency Karen Chhour Minister for Children young people rooftop incident public safety