Children's Rights in New Zealand

UNICEF New Zealand promotes the rights and needs of children in New Zealand and works to influence decision-makers to advance child rights law for the benefit of children.

We work co-operatively with other organisations on behalf of children.

Our work is guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC), the UN Study on Violence Against Children and A World Fit For Children (the goals from the 2002 UN Special Session on Children).

As agent of the United Nations, UNICEF is mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) as its platform for advocacy.

UNCROC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in world history.

New Zealand became a signatory to UNCROC in 1993 and is bound to conform to its directives and to report to the UN on progress with UNCROC every five years; the next report is due in late 2008.

The Ministry of Social Development is responsible for coordinating the report through its Ministry of Youth Development. Non- governmental organisations concerned with children's issues and rights have an opportunity to respond to the Government's report and provide a report from their perspective to the United Nations Committee on Children.

Our activities around promoting children's rights include:

Facilitating child participation in matters that affect them.

• Bringing children's issues to the attention of the public through media, publications and presentations.
• Lobbying for improvements to child rights law.
• Organising events that increase awareness of children's issues, policy development and other initiatives that support children's rights.
• Advocating for children's interests on government and non-government committees and to other groups concerned with children's issues.
• Making submissions in the interest of children.
• Gathering and distributing information on issues affecting children's rights and needs.

The issues we are currently involved with include:

• Lobbying to have children's rights central to policy and planning.
• Promoting and monitoring follow-up on the recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Special Session on Children.
• Promoting and advancing the concept of Child and Youth Friendly Cities And Communities.
• Supporting and promoting post repeal Section 59 Crimes Act 1961 information and education.
• Lobbying to reduce child poverty.
• Reducing violence against children in NZ, and improving their protection from violence.

Barbara Lambourn is UNICEF New Zealand Advocacy Manager - she can be contacted at barbara@unicef.org.nz or 64 4 496 9612