Whangarei is set to become New Zealand’s first UNICEF- accredited Child and Youth Friendly City.  A strong showing of support from the Whangarei community was evident in the forum hosted by Manaia Health PHO on Monday 3rd October.

The event was officially opened by the Whangarei District Council Mayor Morris Cutforth and attended by about 60 people from education, health, social services and council.

Speaking at the forum were two local speakers, Dr Aniva Lawrence, a General Practitioner with a focus on youth health who provided an overview of youth health issues in Northland and Dr Clair Mills, Northland DHB Medical Officer of Health, who spoke about child health inequities in Tai Tokerau.  

Associate Professor Cindy Kiro (and previous Children’s Commissioner) discussed the socio-economic determinants of child health and the implications for Local Government and Healthy Cities.  Associate Professor Karen Witten described a research project called ‘Kids in the City’ which is exploring the built environment and the impact on children’s health and wellbeing.   

UNICEF NZ National Advocacy Manager, Barbara Lambourn, who spoke at the event said, “The forum was a strong indication that the people of Whangarei are dedicated to their children and see them as important in the scheme of city planning now and in the future”

“People's lives are shaped by their early experiences and as local authorities are on the front line in matters affecting children they need to be particularly mindful of the impact that any decision, policy or activity may have on children.

“Children are active and important consumers of local government services. They live in streets and houses, attend schools, use community facilities like transport, cycle ways, walkways, parks, pools, libraries.”

UNICEF NZ has a goal and that goal is to ensure that every city and community in New Zealand has a Child Friendly agenda by 2020.

UNICEF defines a child friendly city as a local system of good governance committed to fulfilling children's rights.  It is a city where the voices, needs, priorities and rights of children are an integral part of public policies, programmes and decisions. It is as a result, a city that is fit for all.

The benefits of a child friendly city are that children take an active interest in the process of civic life; they have an understanding of how and why decisions are made, they are likely to have an ownership stake in various civic developments and be more protective about that investment. They are likely to be more connected with a “sense of place and belonging” and take a pride in their city. They are more likely to become informed participants in democracy when they are of age to vote.

Ms Lambourn added, “Children’s health and wellbeing is at the heart of a well functioning society. Where they grow up, how they see the world and respond to what is around them in their early years is vitally important. You are only a child once…we have the opportunity to get things right for every young citizen through a child and youth friendly approach to planning for Whangarei’s future….and it has benefits for everyone”.

The plan in Whangarei now is to form a steering group of interested people so collectively we can discuss how best to proceed.