01 November 12
Maxim Institute has made a submission on the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill arguing it does not reflect the nature of the institution of marriage, and will unreasonably limit crucial freedoms of thought, conscience, religion and belief as affirmed by the New Zealand Bill of Rights 1990.+ more
25 May 11
Children across the country are oblivious to the fact that they might have their own government department before long. Labour has announced they will create a "Ministry for Children" if they win November's election, and the Families and Children's Commissions will be scrapped to fund it.+ more
02 September 10
We want every child to have the opportunity to learn, but what is the best way to provide that? Conventional wisdom tells us it is about the state providing free schools for all. Yet remarkably, in the poorest communities across the globe, it is private education that really delivers. Parents and teachers in those places are growing innovative, caring schools from the ground up; teaching and nurturing the rising generation.+ more
31 August 10
A few years ago in America, some bright spark had the idea that troubled young delinquents needed to be shocked onto the straight and narrow by being shown where their errant behaviour was likely to lead. A programme was developed called "Scared Straight," which took young people into prisons to see the harsh realities of prison life. It sounded like a great idea—the only problem was, it didn't work.+ more
02 March 10
For the last year a billboard on state highway 1 has broadcast the message "great marriages grow great kids." The advertising standards authority received a complaint from a single mum who was offended by the billboard. Whilst the authority understandably dismissed the complaint it does raise an interesting question: how should we balance the genuine sensitivities of people against the need to also hold onto marriage as something that is valuable for society?+ more