Changes to the way Aotearoa New Zealand responds to family violence, child abuse and neglect

Also on 1 July 2019 significant changes come into effect about the way we respond to family violence, child abuse and neglect. The changes are set to achieve better outcomes for families, whānau, children and young people in care, and include:

• a new information sharing scheme introduced by the Family Violence Act 2018
• a new information sharing scheme introduced by sections 65A to 66D of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
• practice changes for children and young people in care and/or in the youth justice system introduced by the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 and the Oranga Tamariki (National Care Standards and Related Matters) Regulations 2018.

These regulatory frameworks contribute to modernising Aotearoa New Zealand's response and promote cross-agency collaboration.

The Ministry of Justice and Oranga Tamariki will publish guidance documents in June to support the introduction of the new information sharing schemes. Training packages will also be available, and the health sector has contributed to developing these. The Ministry of Health is also developing health sector-specific guidance in conjunction with the wider health sector, which will be published on the Ministry website before 1 July.

Have your say about our country’s contribution to UN sustainable development goals

The Ministry of Health contributed to a report on the United Nation’s sustainable development goals, highlighting the priority Aotearoa New Zealand attaches to sustainable wellbeing. The draft report is on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (MFAT) website, as MFAT is leading this cross-agency work.

MFAT invites you to review the draft report and give feedback about this important document. Be sure to have your say by 5pm Sunday 26 May. The report will be submitted to the UN on 14 June 2019 and presented at the UN in New York on 17 July 2019.