In 2025, a New Zealand child died on average every six and a half weeks due to abuse and/or neglect. Many more sustained life-altering injuries, and thousands continue to live with trauma as their regular reality.
These are tragic statistics that have barely changed in 10 years, says Child Matters CEO, Jane Searle.
“There are no quick fixes to child abuse, but there are credible solutions that lie in long-term thinking that reduces harm over successive years.
“As we move into the 2026 election year, the discussion we must be having is about achieving bipartisan agreements across successive Governments so that we can finally start making some inroads to these tragic statistics.
“No single politician or party can affect the level of change required over decades. Effective change will only come with cross-party agreements and commitments over several generations.”
Ms Searle says numerous Government initiatives have started over the years, but tend to lose their way through election cycles and New Zealand is stuck in the same place with children continuing to be harmed.
“It is not unrealistic to achieve a steady, ongoing drop in serious harm and deaths. This has always been the goal, but successive Governments will need to work together to make it happen.”
Ms Searle says the immediate priority is embedding a long-term strategy, adequate funding and a functional structure at Oranga Tamariki.
“In recent times, some have called for the disbanding of Oranga Tamariki due to concerns about its performance. But New Zealand will always need a government agency with the legal remit to make critical decisions about the safety and wellbeing of children who are at risk.
“We don’t need to change its name or close it down. We need the Government and Oranga Tamariki to be relentlessly focused on child protection, community support, early intervention, and ensuring the agency is functioning properly across the country, with consistent resourcing and service delivery.”
“Three-year election cycles and political posturing do not lend themselves to long-term solutions. Credible solutions will take time, but the longer we leave it, the longer we wait for improvement. And now, 2025 has been and gone without any significant progress.
“2026 must be the election year that we demand more from all political parties when it comes to commitments that go far beyond a three year election cycle.
“We will never prevent every instance of abuse, but we can do so much better. Let the 2026 election be the year it happens.”
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If you believe a child is in immediate danger call the NZ Police on 111.
If it's not immediate but you suspect a child may be in an unsafe environment, please contact Oranga Tamariki at contact@ot.govt.nz or phone 0508 326 459, lines are open 24/7.
Time for big plan to curb child abuse, campaigner says
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