Neve stars in PM’s children’s picnic
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has hosted a picnic for children and other young people at her Wellington residence.
As she talked with them about issues facing children yesterday, her partner, Clarke Gayford, and baby Neve looked on from the sidelines at Premier House.
Although careful not to hog the limelight, all cameras were on the first baby when Gayford strolled out with the pram.
Ardern sat down with groups of children, asking them to share ideas about how to make New Zealand the best place to grow up and what they would do if they were the prime minister.
The young people discussed their views on bullying, education, health, families, friendship and refugees.
As part of the Child Poverty Reduction Bill, the Government is developing a Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy that maps out how children and young people’s overall wellbeing will be improved.
She told those gathered for the event it was a ‘‘thank-you’’ to all involved in the strategy, and she stressed their views did count.
More than 2500 children and other young people have shared ideas through face-to-face conversations, postcards to the prime minister and via an online survey.
‘‘They’ve talked about the importance of friends; they’ve told us that they worry about the stress their parents are under; and they’ve highlighted the need for their family and others to have good homes, and healthy food,’’ Ardern said. ‘‘One thing young people have made really clear is that they want to be listened to, and for their views to be respected by adults.’’
A survey and submission form for adults to share their ideas opens today.
The Government aims to publish an initial version of the strategy next year.
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