The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is leading the development and implementation of the Strategy, in collaboration with other agencies and with input from people and groups across New Zealand.
Legislation underpinning the Strategy
In December 2018, the Government enacted legislation to ensure reducing child poverty and improving child wellbeing remains an ongoing priority. The legislation, passed with near unanimous support, establishes an ongoing level of political accountability and is a key lever in ensuring policy momentum endures through successive governments.
Alongside the Child Poverty Reduction Act, amendments to the Children’s Act (2014) require successive governments to develop and publish a strategy to improve the wellbeing of all children and young people.
What informed the Strategy
The Strategy was developed with input from 10,000 New Zealanders – including over 6,000 children and young people, who told us what makes for a good life and what gets in the way.
We heard from individuals and groups from a range of different backgrounds and experiences, including Māori and iwi groups, representatives from community groups, NGOs and central and local government, as well as members of the public. In particular, we made a real effort to hear from those whose voices are less often heard.
We also drew on insights from other recent public engagement, the best evidence from social science, and thinking from Māori and Pacific wellbeing models and frameworks.
A reference group of experts working in the field of child and youth wellbeing supported the development of the Strategy. Members included iwi and community development leaders and specialists in the education, child health, justice and social sectors.
Other government and children’s focussed agencies were also consulted. Further sector engagement and reference groups acted as sounding boards to test thinking as the Strategy was developed.
- Find out more about the engagement process and what we heard
- Find out more about the submissions we received
Adopting the Strategy
In July 2019, Cabinet endorsed the Child and Youth Wellbeing Straegy, including the Government's programme of Action.
Related Cabinet minutes and briefings have been proactively released and include
- Adopting the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy
- Briefings relating to indicators for the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy