Worrying child homicide rate prompts new NZ campaign

Children’s Commissioner Claire Achmad has launched a nationwide advocacy campaign focused on preventing all forms of child maltreatment – physical, sexual and emotional abuse, exposure to domestic violence, and neglect.

At the heart of the Dear Children campaign is a letter Dr Achmad has written directly to the nation’s 1.23 million children, in which she affirms “you have the right to be safe”.

To the adults reading the letter, she states”: “A child’s right to safety is something we adults should protect fiercely – and I’m asking you to play your part.

“My request of all adults in our country is to sign this letter alongside me,” Dr Achmad said. “Together, let’s send children a crystal-clear message: they are precious to us, and we will do better by them, so they are all growing up safe.”

Police data shows that, on average, a child is killed in Aotearoa New Zealand every four to five weeks. In the last decade, approximately 113 children aged 17 or younger were killed by homicide. Two-thirds of these were aged under five, highlighting that younger aged children are most at risk of harm.

In 2023, New Zealand had one of the highest rates of children under five years killed by homicide – 7.3 times the rate in the United Kingdom, 3.5 times that of Australia and 2.6 times that of Canada.

In 2024-25, Oranga Tamariki received reports of concern for 63,039 children, with more than 44,532 reports requiring further action.

The Dear Children campaign brings focus, urgency and collective responsibility to what Dr Achmad said is “a problem we can and must solve as a nation”.

She said the campaign’s launch shortly before the summer holidays was intentional.

“Tragically, last summer holidays, two children were killed by homicide. Going into this time of year, I want New Zealanders to be aware that child abuse is a problem in our country, and to commit to looking out for children,” she said.

The letter can be viewed and signed by visiting www.dearchildren.co.nz

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Children’s Commissioner launches urgent nationwide advocacy campaign | Mana Mokopuna (Children’s Commissioner)

Dear Children – Mana Mokopuna (Children’s Commissioner)