Our change.org petition mirrors one at Parliamentary petitions, and together they're attracted more than 3000 signatures. We're now boosting the petition to reach more people to get the most signatures we can by 18 July.

Most of us can expect to give or receive family care during our lives - most carers are women, and we now live in the 'club sandwich' generation. We may care for friends and whanau several times over the years. Caring can be for a short time or for a lifetime. 

Isn't it wonderful that 1m+ New Zealanders make the choice to support a loved one, no matter what. But they need help too. Please sign and ask everyone you know to sign. This petition is about all of us. As Shannon, who is a carer, says: "It could be you."