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December 10, 2025
Dr Claire Achmad | Protect Our Tamariki — Children’s Commissioner Launches “Dear Children / Stop the Silence” Campaign
Dale Husband
Posted On December 10, 2025
Download AudioThe Children’s Commissioner has today launched a powerful nationwide campaign aimed at ending abuse and neglect of tamariki and rangatahi across Aotearoa.
At the heart of the campaign is a simple but urgent message: adults must “front up” and break the silence when it comes to physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, or exposure to domestic violence.
The campaign – under the name Dear Children – includes an open letter addressed to the 1.23 million children of Aotearoa, affirming they have the right to be safe.
The Children’s Commissioner urges every adult- whānau, iwi, communities, even neighbours – to commit publicly to protecting children and to challenge abuse, neglect, and violence wherever it happens.
For Māori, the wellbeing of mokopuna is a foundational responsibility – rooted in whakapapa, whakapapa obligations, and whānau relationships. A campaign like “Dear Children” resonates deeply with our values of care, whanaungatanga, rangimārie, and collective responsibility.
Too often, the trauma of abuse is hidden behind shame, silence – and fear that speaking out will break whānau. This campaign sends a strong message: silence protects no one – and speaking up can save lives.
Māori communities already know that protecting tamariki means protecting whakapapa, protecting future generations, and upholding our mana as tangata whenua.
What’s being asked of us all
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Sign the open letter to show commitment to keeping tamariki safe.
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Whānau, hapū, marae, iwi – hold korero about child safety, talk with tamariki, listen when they speak, act when something is wrong.
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Support survivors – and make sure services, whānau networks, hapū structures are strong, safe and whanonga Māori-aware.
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Stand against violence, neglect, and abuse – in homes, communities, institutions, and public spaces.
The campaign is a call to Aotearoa: to stand up, speak out, act – and make sure every child grows up with safety, love, and dignity.
For Māori, it is an invitation to honour the values of mana tamariki, mana whānau, and tikanga: to protect the vulnerable, to care for our mokopuna, and to ensure their right to a safe future.
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