A new report released by Oranga Tamariki and the Children's Commissioner this morning has discovered that while most Kiwi kids say they are doing well, some are facing significant challenges in their daily lives.
The report, called "What makes a good life?" was released today after a survey of over 6,000 New Zealand children and young people with the hopes of identifying a clear picture of what wellbeing means to those growing up here.
The report found a third of Kiwi kids face challenges such as racism, poverty and bullying.
Tamariki advocate at Oranga Tamariki Hoani Lambert told TVNZ1's Breakfast this morning said the report covered a wide range of lifestyle aspects, from education and health to relationships with family and communities.
"What we saw was that a large majority of children are having a fairly good life in New Zealand however there are a small segment who are finding life quite challenging.
"They're talking about issues with online bullying, they're talking about not being able to cope at school, for some of them, they feel when things get tough they don't really have the support when they need it."
Mr Lambert says the findings prove more needs to be done by Government, schools and the general public to support the children facing such hardships.
"I think we need to be listening - these young people, they may not be experts in everything in life but they do know when things are not going well for them.
"We don't hear their voices often... these children talked most about not feeling like they're being heard and seen so I would say [this report] is important if for no other reason than they can see that their voices matter."
The survey was conducted in October and November last year and saw just over 5,600 children and young people complete an online survey. A further 423 were spoken to face-to-face through a series of focus groups and interviews in 19 towns and cities across New Zealand.
The report found issues Kiwi kids face daily include include racism, discrimination, bullying, poverty, violence and drugs.
Mr Lambert says the challenge now is to listen and act to the concerns stated by young people.
"A lot of us think because a young person says something, we have to leap and do what they say - that is not what the report said.
"The report said that young people just want to be heard in the first instance and sometimes it is the process of engaging with a young person that is the first and most important step."
SHARE ME