About us
The Families Commission provides a voice for New Zealand families and whānau. We speak out for all families to promote a better understanding of family issues and needs among government agencies and the wider community.
Established in 2004, we are an autonomous Crown agency governed by a board of commissioners.
We:
Listen – identify issues by talking with families and organisations involved with them
Research – promote, commission and publish research on issues that matter to families
Act – encourage debate, raise awareness and advocate for positive outcomes for families.
Our specific functions under the Families Commission Act 2003 are to:
- encourage informed debate about families
- increase public awareness and promote better understanding of matters relating to the interests of families
- play a part in shaping government policies that promote or serve the interests of families
- consider any matter relating to the interests of families referred to us by any Minister of the Crown
- stimulate research into families, for example by funding and undertaking research
- consult with, or refer matters to, other official bodies or statutory agencies.
Under the Act, we are mandated to focus on families generally, and cannot advocate on behalf of individual families or cases.
Our definition of family
We have a broad and inclusive approach to families that ensures we consider the full range of families and their roles and functions. These include:
- groups of people who are related by marriage, blood or adoption
- extended families
- two or more people living together as a family
- whānau or other culturally recognised groups.
These groups have a wide range of living arrangements including:
- single-household nuclear families
- extended families and wider kinship groupings
- Maori whānau
- customary family structures in Pacific and Asian communities and other ethnic groups
- multi-generational groupings
- families dispersed across multiple households
- joint and shared child custody arrangements
- ‘blended’ families.
It excludes groups with common purposes such as gangs, flatmates, and professional or social type organisations.
Other factors
Although we operate as an autonomous Crown entity, the Families Commission Act specifies what we must consider when carrying out our functions. These include:
- any expectations or priorities the Government has about our work
- the diversity of New Zealand families and family groups
- the needs, values and beliefs of different ethnic and cultural groups in New Zealand (including Māori and Pacific peoples)
- New Zealand's international obligations relevant to families.
