Children
Short-sightedness 'increasing', optometrist urges less screen time for children
A group of eye specialists are urging parents and teachers to help children mitigate the risks of short-sightedness.
Family Count decision may deter blended families, divorce lawyer says
A top divorce lawyer says the case of a man being ordered to pay the private school fees of his step-daughter, despite divorcing her mother and never being the girl's legal guardian, is rare.
Disadvantage starts pre-birth: study
New research from the Growing Up In New Zealand longitudinal study shows how much easier it is for families to fall into disadvantage than it is to claw a way out. Dr Kate Prickett is a lead… Audio
Children's Commissioner on record school absences
Just 40 percent of children went to school regularly in term two this year, a new low.
Meanwhile, chronic absence, meaning children missed a third or more of their classes, nearly doubled to reach 14… Audio
Getting kids outdoors adventuring
For many new parents, getting out of the house can be a mission with nappies, change of clothes, food, buggy or front pack. Ceana Priest says - don't be daunted by that. She's mum to six year old… Audio
Bluey - the kids show adults love and the Kiwi connection
The award winning children's show Bluey is among the top ten most streamed shows on TVNZ On Demand. Animator Kiwi Rich Jeffery was lured across the Tasman to work on the show. He speaks to Kathryn… Audio
Human Rights Commission complaint over school attendance
A family has complained to the Human Rights Commission because their local school is refusing to let their five-year-old autistic son attend.
The McDonald family says Woodville School, in the Tararua… Audio
School leaders on attendance issues
Schools say there's no easy fix for low attendance rates across the country but they know what's needed.
New research by the Education Review Office shows that children are missing school more in… Audio
Children missing more school in NZ than other countries
New research indicates children are missing school more in New Zealand than other English-speaking countries.
The Education Review Office found that many parents and students do not priortise going… Audio
New Zealand Initiative on school attendance woes
A new report from the Education Review Office says attendance in schools is worse here than other countries.
New Zealand Initiative executive director of the Oliver Hartwich says this shouldn't come… Audio
$189m for childcare funding: ECE questions why boost is so far off
More families are set to qualify for subsidies to cover the cost of childcare, but early learning centres are hoping more support will be announced for them, too.
Govt urged to ease process for childcare financial help
The government's being told to make the process for applying for childcare costs easy, so it can make it into the pockets of those it's being designed to help.
More families are set to qualify for… Audio
Child missing after boat accident on Manukau Harbour
A child is missing after a boating accident in Auckland last night. The boat, carrying five passengers, capsized off Clarks Beach in the Manukau Harbour.
The principal Sandspit Road School in Waiuku… Audio
Pharmac widens access of new pneumococcal vaccine
Pharmac says tamariki are now able to receive a newly funded vaccine against pneumococcal infections.
Childcare subsidy boost will make a difference, says pre-school
Pre-schools are hoping parents won't have to limit the number of hours their children are in care, when the subsidies increase next year.
The childcare subsidy is a payment to help families with the… Audio
ECEs worried about staffing after boost to childcare subsidies
Families are going to get more money to subsidise childcare costs as the cost of living continues to rise, but Early Childhood centres are worried about how to staff them.
The government has… Audio
More than half of families now eligible for childcare support
More than half of all Kiwi families will become eligible for support to cover the cost of childcare. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern unveiled the policy aimed at easing cost of living pressures at the… Audio
New Canterbury mental health facility for children and teens taking shape
A former laundry on the outskirts of Canterbury's Hillmorton mental health campus is being transformed into a centre for children and teenagers.
Hutt Valley birthing centre to reopen for post-natal care
A birthing centre in Hutt Valley is set to reopen after a 15 month closure - but for post-natal care instead.
Te Whatu Ora will take over the mothballed Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre and next year… Audio
'We were so fortunate she didn't die' - Mother warns Bonjela restrictions don't go far enough
It is the liquorice-like taste of teething for toddlers, but for one mother, Bonjela almost cost her daughter's life.