Green Paper for Vulnerable Children

The Green Paper for Vulnerable Children is a Government initiative which focuses on improving the results of public services for all children. The first Dunedin Green Paper forum was hosted by the Council of Social Services (Dunedin), and was held in November 2011. Information from this forum, and about upcoming events is available via the following links:

Minister unable to release Green Paper submissions

18 May 2012

In response to requests for copies of Green Paper submissions, Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett has explained why she is unable to make these publicly available: Unfortunately we are unable to release submissions as we do not have express permission and as you can imagine some people have put very personal and private information [...]

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Request for copies of Green Paper submissions

8 May 2012

Update 18/05/2012: Minister Bennett has stated that she is unable to make the submissions publicly available. Labour MP Jacinda Adern is struggling to get hold of submissions on the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, and asked whether we could pass on a request to those who submitted earlier this year to send a copy of their submission [...]

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New legislation designed to protect vulnerable children

4 May 2012

Changes to the Crimes Act put a spotlight on the importance of speaking up for vulnerable children, and target people who know a child is being seriously abused and fail to protect them and get them the help they need. The amendment of the Crimes Act took effect in March 2012. It applies to adults living in [...]

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Welfare Reform Update

10 April 2012

Last month the Government announced details of its welfare reforms. The reforms are largely based on the recommendations of the Welfare Working Group, set up by the Government in 2010. The reforms will be introduced in two stages. Critics of the reform have particular concerns about the requirement that single parents who have another child while [...]

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Call Over Vulnerable Children

7 March 2012

7 March 2012 From the Otago Daily Times, 5 March 2012: More action is needed to counter social inequality and poverty if New Zealand’s “vulnerable children” are to thrive and achieve, the University of Otago’s Prof Mark Henaghan says. Prof Henaghan, who is dean of the university law faculty and a specialist on laws protecting [...]

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Child Matters Update: Increasing Awareness

20 February 2012

Child abuse is the nation’s single most important public health challenge affecting communities, business, justice, health, education, and social services. It is estimated that one million people are either currently suffering abuse or living with the long term effects of past child abuse. This affects all of us one way or another. Child Matters encourages [...]

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Presentations from 9 February Green Paper Forum

20 February 2012

Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA) have uploaded two of the presentations from the 9 February 2012 Green Paper forum, at which the Otago Museum’s Hutton Theatre was filled to capacity with attendees: Treasury: Addressing the funding barriers to providing effective services for vulnerable children (PDF; 1 MB) Dr Nicola Atwood: Does the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children Reflect Best [...]

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Green Paper Public Square Discussion

15 February 2012

Thursday 23 February 2012, 5:10pm to 6:30pm University of Otago AV Studio, Owheo Building, corner of Forth and Union Streets, Dunedin “Our Vulnerable Children” A special Public Square discussion devoted to what must be one of the most pressing concerns in New Zealand today – the appalling record of child maltreatment and death in this [...]

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Update: February Event and Paula Bennett Visit

3 February 2012

Registrations for the 9 February Green Paper event are now closed, as all available spaces have been taken. However, a second opportunity to meet with Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has been scheduled for Wednesday 8 February 2012, at the ODT Gallery, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, from 6:30pm to 8pm. The feedback, ideas and views [...]

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Social Development Minister Paula Bennett Visiting Dunedin

1 February 2012

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is travelling from Kaitaia to Invercargill and taking part in Green Paper meetings across the country. She will be in Dunedin this coming Saturday. Ms Bennett will be at the Dunedin Farmers Market at the Dunedin Railway Station, from 9am to 12pm, Saturday 4 February 2012. Members of the public, professionals, [...]

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Research Update: No Clear Evidence of a Decrease in Child Maltreatment

1 February 2012

An article in the latest Otago Bulletin highlights recent research undertaken on child maltreatment rates: New Zealand is named in a major international study involving the University of Otago as one of six states and countries which have no clear evidence of a decrease in child maltreatment over the past two decades. Led by Professor Ruth Gilbert, University College London Institute [...]

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Social Development Partners Draft Green Paper Submission

30 January 2012

Social Development Partners, a network of community organisations in New Zealand, has prepared a draft Green Paper submission (Microsoft Word, 40 KB), and are calling for responses on their website. Feel free to click through and post a comment at the bottom of the blog post. All Green Paper submissions on are due by 28 February [...]

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Update: February Green Paper Event

27 January 2012

The next Green Paper event is being organised by Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA), and will be held at Otago Museum’s Hutton Theatre on 9 February 2012, from 10:30am to 4pm. An Otago Daily Times article incorrectly suggested that there is a $20 fee for non-SSPA members. Attendance is actually free, however attendees must register as spaces are limited. To [...]

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Highlights from the November 2011 Green Paper Forum

26 January 2012

  The first public meeting was held in Dunedin on 30 November 2011.   Global Café Discussions   Attendees were invited to move about the room, congregating at tables around which a particular topic was discussed. At each table, participants made notes on large sheets of paper and place ticks alongside others’ statements which they [...]

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Mayor to Sponsor Tickets

26 January 2012

CORRECTION: Please disregard the $20 attendance fee referenced in the article below. The Green Paper event is actually free for SSPA members and non-members, however registration is essential. From the Otago Daily Times, 20 January 2012: Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has thrown his support behind a public drive for new ways to protect abused, neglected [...]

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SSPA Seminar Series on the Green Paper for vulnerable children

12 December 2011

Another opportunity to hear a different perspective of the Green Paper. Open flyer below for further information. 9 February 2012 SSPA Green Paper flyer  

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Child Poverty in NZ

24 November 2011

Recently Inside New Zealand on TV3 had a documentary on child poverty in New Zealand.  This is a well worthwhile programme to watch –  Inside NZ – Child Poverty.  We would be interested in reading any comments you have of this programme.  

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Green Paper Public Meeting

14 November 2011

The government has released the Green Paper document to encourage discussion and to gain a mandate from New Zealanders on how government should respond.  Submissions to the Green Paper will be taken into consideration when forming the White Paper, which then will go through the process of becoming legislation. On 30 November 2011 a forum [...]

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The Green Paper for vulnerable children

31 October 2011

  New resources make it easier to have your say on vulnerable children We’ve made it easy for New Zealanders to share their ideas on the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children. Now is your opportunity to contribute and let the Government know what you think should happen. Resources including a freepost form are available at [...]

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