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Who is impacted?
Violence and abuse toward tamariki profoundly affect the wellbeing, safety, and future of children across Aotearoa. Many tamariki suffer physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in their homes, schools, and communities, with a disproportionate impact on Māori and Pasifika children. Tragically, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of child abuse in the OECD, with a tamaiti dying from abuse every five weeks. These harms create deep trauma that can affect tamariki for their entire lives.

According to Child Matters and other advocacy groups, New Zealand continues to face a serious crisis with child abuse cases, with one child dying every five weeks due to alleged abuse. In recent months, several tragic cases of severe child abuse and deaths have been reported nationally, highlighting ongoing systemic failures and the urgent need for government action.

The media coverage within the last six months has included multiple in-depth stories, investigations, and official statements emphasizing the high rates of abuse, neglect, and harm endured by tamariki, especially Māori and Pasifika children who are disproportionately affected. National child advocacy groups are increasingly vocal, warning that New Zealand is not making sufficient progress toward protecting its most vulnerable children.

What is at stake?
If immediate and comprehensive action is not taken, the costs to tamariki, whānau, and society will continue to escalate. Survivors face lifelong physical and mental health challenges, disrupted education, and barriers to fully participating in society. Families and communities also bear the long-term social and economic burdens of unaddressed abuse. Declaring violence and abuse toward tamariki a national emergency prioritizes urgent government response, increased investment in prevention and support services, and meaningful accountability to restore safety and healing for the most vulnerable.

Why is now the time to act?
The ongoing prevalence and severity of violence toward tamariki demand urgent recognition and decisive government intervention. A national emergency declaration would signal the nation’s commitment to protecting tamariki as our highest priority, aligning with Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and international child rights standards. Every day without this recognition leaves tamariki at risk. Now is the moment to secure their safety, wellbeing, and futures through immediate, sustained, and systemic action.