As a teacher in Hamilton I am shocked at the poor treatment of some children. Parents expect teachers and school to feed their children everyday. They come to school with sores all over their bodies from a poor diet. I am disgusted when I see parents with energy drinks that cost $5 dollars each and then they turn around and complain that they can't afford $7 for a school trip.

its about time the goverment did something for our children more measures to protect them higher peniltys for those who hurt them i work in the medical field i see alot of kids come in because of adults who think they are tough what about the children who die from the hands of an adult and what about those ones who have died and no is charged who speaks for them who died a voilent death too mny people close the doors its time to stand up and do something more how many more children .theres no need for kids to go to school hungry or cold make more resourses please help our children

I dont mind the government setting up some kind of monitoring from birth, for everyone. As long as it's not just about trying to "catch you at it" and is much more about general well-being, education/support for parents, a more formalised SKIP programme perhaps. Plunket could be across it too, with some government funding to help them provide a greater service to families.

Rose #1 I agree with you but to be brutally honest the cases in recent years have all come from benefit families and as in your case if it was today your family would have been Working for Families recipients and as such should be subjected to the same rules as those on a benefit - take taxpayer money and be socially responsible. We have to start somewhere and I am sick of all the talking about it and nothing actually getting done meanwhile more children are abused or killed it has to stop, it makes me ashamed of being a New Zealander

to suze ... not all abuse happens in benefit families... my father worked a full day in a well paid job and the only time i was safe at home was when he was there. the rest of the time i suffered abuse in the hands of my older brothers and a mother who just watched it all happen. i spent many hours helping teachers after school just so i didnt have to return home until dad was there. this is was in a fmily that didnt drink and generally had food on the table. physical, mental and sexual abuse does not need poverty, alchohol or drugs to make it occur. lack of respect for people and individuals doesnt help. somehow we need to get back to caring for each other, no matter what they have or have not got.

Yes Ms Bennett the next step is more government intervention in these childrens lives. If I sign a contract upon gaining employment my employer expects certain standards and a committment from me to justify my job and my salary, the same for a beneficiary we the taxpayer should expect far more than what we are currently getting for our money. Every child that is being supported by the state via benefits or Working for Families should be tracked from birth, this means tying those payments to the well being and welfare of the child, mandatory at least 4 visits to a doctor or public health clinic annually to make sure these children are safe, don't keep your appointment then benefit is stopped until abberant parent has attended. Welfare payments paid via food vouchers, clothing vouchers, auto payment of rent and power and only a small amount of cash. Children should not be going to school hungry - a box of weetbix and a bottle of milk is not expensive, shoes and suitable clothing is also easy to afford - these items come first, not alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and pokies. If a child is afraid to go home don't let them go home remove them, set up a network or caring adults who would temporary offer refuge for said children in their time of need - many of older people would be glad to do this - I know I would and have helped out in the past. It is time we totally had zero tolerance for any form of abuse of a child whether it is neglect or violence non of this is OK. I know these measures would upset some people especially those that are trying to provide for their children, but like anything there needs to be rules and we need to do something now.