Six political parties back proposal to make govt decisions more child-centred

A proposal seeking to make government decisions more child-centred has secured the backing of six political parties.

The Barnardos charity presented its 'Generational Plan for Children' to Parliament in September, calling for long term political commitment to putting children's needs first in policy decisions.

The plan envisages an Aotearoa where children are put first in all policy and decision making, and the possible establishment of a permanent children's cabinet.

It sets out a 'starter for 10' list of goals to achieve by 2050 and has a list of seven core principles, including putting children at the centre of every decision; thinking long-term beyond electoral cycles; early investment in prevention; and whanau, iwi and community-led solutions.

Barnardos chief executive Matt Reid said it was about ensuring all children could thrive.

"We've got a lot of hard work to do. For example there are currently 5000 children in state care - we believe we can achieve an Aotearoa where there are less than 300 in state care.

"There are currently 33,000 children in severe housing deprivation, we believe we can get that down to less than 100 if we do this right and we do it in a united way," he said.

Reid said the strategies and plans coming out of government for the past 40 years had simply not worked.

"Whilst well-intended plans in their own right... they have not been shifting the dial for children.

"Things have actually, I would argue, gotten worse for children in New Zealand," said Reid.

The report calculated that inaction would cost the country $450 billion by 2050. The report urged policymakers to consider children in their decision-making as it found the challenges faced by children were complex and were not in isolation - such as poverty, domestic violence, poor housing and poor health outcomes.

Each main political party - except NZ First - has written to Barnardos confirming their support to develop the plan and work alongside other leaders and sectors.

"I'm full of hope and I don't know why we wouldn't be - I think this is very achievable, particularly if we can get the cross party support of all political parties.

"Let's take the politics out of the lives of these children that we are here to serve and are most worried about... why can't we achieve this?," asked Reid.

Sir Ashley Bloomfield is an ambassador for Barnardos, and one of 120 leaders who were backing the Generational Plan.

"We've got an ageing population like many countries, we now spend more on our superannuation than we do on our end to end education system each year, and our future economic security and well-being depends on us having healthy, well educated, productive adults. Looking after the health and well-being of our children is fundamental to that," said Bloomfield

He said having six political parties support the plan was "hugely significant", and NZ First should also get on board.

"I hope that the peer pressure applies to those parties that aren't yet at the table.

"I hope that whatever happens as an outcome from the election this weekend, that parties will recognise their commitment and really focus on this - it's in all our interests that they do," he said.

While Bloomfield did not expect all parties to agree on every policy, he believed they could agree on the destination.

"Having been involved in international negotiations where it looks like there are intractable opposing views on issues.. if you sit down in the room and listen to each other, talk and work things through, it's amazing what you can reach consensus on," he said.