Children's Day

To Elaine Dyer, Project Manager, Violence Free Waitakere and your colleague Anita, to the children, parents, performers here,  greetings, kia ora, kia orana, fakalofa lahi atu, taloha ni and good morning (sign).  These are the languages of the Realm of New Zealand

I am the Patron of National Children's Day and I am pleased to be here at this special Toddler's Day Out and Great Parenting Fair.  It is hosted by Violence Free Waitakere and Early Childhood Education Waitakere with the support of Waitakere City Council.

Today is the 10th Children's Day, a day with a vision to see children celebrated, nurtured and treasured by all.   We are today celebrating children and the number of similar events taking place around the country show that Children's Day is certainly becoming tradition in New Zealand.

A Teddy Bears Picnic is taking place in the Far North,  a dress-up parade in New Plymouth,  a scarecrow-making competition is on in Wellington,  a magical mystery tour in Christchurch, and outdoor activities in Invercargill and many, many more events with a high level of participation.

Since 2006, as a supporter of my husband, the Governor-General, I have made an effort to highlight children's interests and people who help children.

Today we celebrate children and promote positive parenting and support for all parents.  The theme this year is 'praise and encouragement and positive reinforcement'.  As parents, caregivers and communities it is important to positively reinforce and encourage the children in our lives, whether they are your own children or grandchildren, or children in your community.  The mood created is encouraging and uplifting to all.

Children, I urge you to do you best, all the time you can.  Listen to your parents and teachers.  Be a good friend but be brave and not afraid to be different if your friends are wrong.  Be honest, kind and hopeful.  Share problems with someone you trust, especially Mum and Dad who know lots of things because they were once a child, just like you.

Cherishing children and nurturing them as they grow is the most important part of parenting.  Their world revolves around adults close to them and the influence and responsibility of those people cannot be understated.

A Canadian called Brian Tracy wrote of what he believed being a successful parent meantin the following words -

"If you raise your children to feel that they can accomplish any goal or task they decide upon, you will have succeeded as a parent and you will have given your children the greatest of all blessings."

We have become grandparents since the beginning of last year twice and have been reminded of the joy of children in our lives.  There are also many challenges that face parents in this ever-changing, fast-paced era.  It is not necessarily more difficult to parent than it was in our day but different.  Parents who are close to their children will be sensitive to their concerns and joys and able to console hurts and to praise progress at every opportunity.

I am delighted to see so many stalls here today which strive to help families with a range of advice from health to budgeting.  They are managed by various Waitakere support services and community organisations.  I want to take this opportunity to ‘praise and encourage' all of those who have volunteered their time, and their invaluable expertise at this Toddler's Day Out and Great Parenting Fair.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.