Our research projects
We carry out a research programme every year. The information and analysis we get from the research feeds into recommendations for improvements to family-related policies.
Current research projects
Family-friendly environments: looking at the main components of family-friendly environments.
Flexible work: improving our understanding of why employees don’t take up flexible work options when these are available from their employer.
Post separation care: a project looking into the decisions that separating parents make about living arrangements for their children, including how they reach those decisions, and how they work. The Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families at Victoria University has been commissioned to undertake this research. A report is due to be published in November 2007.
Pacific Families Now and in the Future: a future-looking research project on Pacific families in New Zealand. Relevant, meaningful and useful information about the characteristics of, and challenges facing, New Zealand Pacific families both now and in the future. Fono were held in late 2006 with Pacific communities to identify research themes and two research projects have been commissioned for completion in June 2008.
State of Families 2008 report: this report will identify key family issues and trends facing New Zealand society in the future. The report will combine statistical data with information from research, including what family members have told us. There will be comparisons with other countries. Implications of these trends and issues for families, society and policy-makers will be highlighted.
Completed research projects
Paid parental leave report (2007). A study on parental leave provisions in New Zealand and overseas.
Moving On: changes in a year in family living arrangements report (2007)
Review of the Empirical Literature Assessing the Impacts of Government Policies on Family Form report (2006)
Families with Dependent Children – Successful Outcomes project background information (2005 and 2006)
Measuring the Cost of Children: Concepts and Methodologies (2005)
Methodologies for Analysing the Impact of Public Policy on Families (This publication is now out of print) (2005)
Beyond Zero Tolerance: Key Issues and Future Directions for Family Violence Work in New Zealand (2005)