1. Children Penalised in Parenting Orders
Family First Media Release 30 April 09

Family First NZ says that children are missing out on access to both their parents as a result of parenting orders being made in the Family Court, and that there appears to be a clear bias against fathers. Figures obtained by Family First NZ under the Official Information Act show that only 13% of disputes results in a 50-50 parenting split.

“These figures are a tragic reminder that children are the ultimate losers when there is a breakdown in the parent relationship,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “The greatest injustice is that a parent can lose regular and sufficient access to their children when they may have done nothing wrong and never agreed to the separation in the first place.”

The figures for the three years since the passing of the Care of Children Act also show that mothers are more likely to be granted the most time, gaining sole day-to-day care in 2/3’rds of cases , but the father has only a 12% success rate .
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2. Ethnic Groups Confused by Anti-Smacking Law
Family First Media Release 28 April 09
Family First NZ says that research just released from the Families Commission shows that immigrant families are confused by the anti-smacking law and still see non-abusive smacking as a viable option for correcting their children. The research report funded by the Families Commission and carried out by Victoria University entitled ‘ SETTLING IN: parent-adolescent family dynamics in the acculturation process ’ documents the experiences of migrant and refugee families in New Zealand adapting to NZ culture and laws.

The report said ‘A major issue of both frustration and change in the families studied was discipline and the rights of children. Most of the families came from a culture where physical discipline was the norm. Many of the parents mentioned that they found the New Zealand law concerning the rights of children difficult to understand and to follow. The corporal punishment of children was still seen as a viable method of reprimand by some parents, although they knew that this was against the law .’

…“The Families Commission needs to pay attention to their own research and the views of the majority of parents if they want to maintain any credibility as a voice for families.”
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The Families Commission responds
READ the full report – (if you can handle it!)

COMING SOON…
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“Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a crime in NZ?” (of course not!)