Family Integrity

Tag: Family First NZ

  • Is John Key deliberately misleading the public?

    ANTI-SMACKING REFERENDUM

    Is John Key deliberately misleading the public?

    “To this point, there have been no successful prosecutions under the new law.”
    John Key – TVNZ 3 Aug 09 WATCH

    TRUE / FALSE ?

    False!

    Here’s the facts..



    That’s right – 13 prosecutions under the anti-smacking law ! And note the number of non-abusive families being investigated with no abuse being found (94%)!

    What is the difference between ‘smacking’ and ‘minor acts of physical discipline’? Good question. The police cannot and refuse to define them and there is no statutory definition for them either. They are new terms as a result of the anti-smacking law.

    Only last week, the NZ Herald highlighted a father who was prosecuted for a light smack on the leg
    ‘I asked for help but instead got conviction’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10586994

    And a case brought to the attention of the NZ Herald by Family First involving CYF forced an apology from the agency
    CYFS says sorry to ‘traumatised’ family http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10587740


    How many other cases are there like this???

    Were these prosecutions warranted?

    You be the judge. Here’s just 7 cases that we’ve put before the Prime Minister. We don’t know whether these were classified ‘smacking’ ‘minor acts of physical discipline’ or ‘other child assaults’ and the police won’t say either.

    Here’s the bottom line .

    It’s quite evident there will be a ‘no’ vote in the Referendum. What we’re asking for is a STRONG ‘no’ vote – that the Prime Minister simply can’t ignore.

    Please vote – and please encourage friends, family, work colleagues to send their voting papers in.

    There’s only 2 people who could waste the $9m on the Referendum. You or me – if we don’t vote, and John Key – if he doesn’t listen.

    Kind regards


    Bob McCoskrie
    National Director

  • Smacking Poll: People v Politicians

    MEDIA RELEASE

    3 August 2009

    Smacking Poll: People v Politicians

    Family First NZ says that the latest poll on attitudes to the smacking law is a reminder that the smacking debate is essentially a battle between the huge majority of NZ’ers and the politicians.

    “The One News poll shows 83% opposition to the smacking law, consistent with every other poll done both before the law change and in the two years since,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of the Family First NZ.

    “But our elected representatives are adopting a ‘we know better than you’ attitude and are refusing to listen to the wishes of the NZ public. This is a disgraceful display of democracy, and shows incredible disrespect.”

    “The poll also shows that those who believe that the current law may be working at the moment (25%) still don’t support the law (only 13% voting yes). The government and the police can try to paint a rosy picture on the law but the bottom line is that NZ’ers simply don’t accept it.”

    Family First NZ agree with the 76% who say that the Referendum is not a good use of public money but has been necessitated because of ‘political deafness’ and a cynical postponing of the Referendum from being held at the General Election last year.

    “This whole debate around the anti-smacking law has come down to a battle between the common sense of families and the agenda of politicians and government funded groups,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “Parents are doing their job 24/7 and the vast majority are doing a brilliant job. It’s time we listened to them on this issue.”

    “Let’s target the real causes of child abuse – not real parents.”

    Summary of polls for the past four years http://www.voteno.org.nz/polls.htm

    ENDS

    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie – National Director

    Mob. 027 55 555 42


    Sign up now to received FREE email updates of issues affecting families – be informed!

    http://www.familyfirst.org.nz/index.cfm/Sign_Up

  • FAMILY FIRST – Campbell Live Debate

    In case you missed it….

    TV3’s Campbell Live tonight featured Bob McCoskrie – Family First, Anton Blank – from Te Kahui Mana Ririki; Sheryll Savill – the instigator of the referendum itself; and the chief executive of Barnados New Zealand Murray Edridge

    http://www.3news.co.nz/The-referendum-begins-should-you-vote-yes-or-no/tabid/367/articleID/114573/cat/41/Default.aspx (16’43”)

    You can also comment on TV3’s website here
     http://www.3news.co.nz/Online-debate—the-smacking-referendum/tabid/1153/articleID/114365/cat/980/Default.aspx

    Kind regards

    Family First Team

    Got a comment on this issue? Email feedback@familyfirst.org.nz

    http://www.familyfirst.org.nz

  • Voters Not Confused by Referendum

    MEDIA RELEASE

    31 July  2009

    Voters Not Confused by Referendum

    Family First NZ says that the record number of registered voters for the Referendum shows that there is no confusion about the Referendum question.

    “Sue Bradford has continued her attack on democracy and Referendums by insulting NZ’ers and saying they’ll vote yes when they mean no and vice versa. But it’s quite simple really – if you oppose the anti-smacking law, vote no – if you support the anti-smacking law, vote yes. What’s hard about that?” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

    “Even government funded groups who have attacked the question still have been able to figure out how to vote!”

    “The attempts by politicians to attack the question and to threaten to disregard the result of the Referendum has actually had the opposite effect to what they possibly intended. It has rarked up voters because they feel like it’s more of the previous ‘we know better than you and we’re not listening’ attitude. NZ’ers hoped that we had moved on from that approach.”

    “Because of this message, it is even more important that voters return their voting forms and send a strong message to the politicians on this issue.”

    “The Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993 was introduced by politicians to allow NZ’ers to have a say on important issues. The people have met the very high benchmark set to have their say. The politicians must listen,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    ENDS

    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie – National Director

    Mob. 027 55 555 42


  • U4L: The referendum is now upon us

    U4L: The referendum is now upon us


    Hi All,

    Over the past few months Unity for Liberty has chosen to remain silent concerning the referendum.

    There are a few simple reasons for this, firstly, the issue has been well represented by Family First and other prominent organizations and secondly, we wanted to know exactly what we are up against (It is now very clear, our Prime Minister and the rest of the anti-smackers are singing from the same song sheet: “Tell a lie long enough and everyone will start believing it”).

    The Prime Minister also referred to the Referendum question as something out of Dr Seuss. Should we remind him about the story of the Emperor’s invisible clothes, where those who were told that they could not see it were ignorant. In this case, if we don’t understand the how badly worded the question is, then we too must be ignorant.

    I am tired of having my intelligence insulted, ARE YOU?

    Here’s the problem with the question: for many years (and at tax payers expense) those with a political agenda for social engineering have been promoting the lie that a smack as part of good parental correction is assault. They realize that the referendum question undermines that untruth and it’s associated brainwashing.

    Clearly, attacking the wording of the question is just a disparate attempt to divert the focus away from real issue and create confusion. The real agenda was never about combating child abuse (since admitted by Sue Bradford),  but by confusing good parental correction as assault they are then able to (by law) remove Parental Authority away from the parent, thus, by default, that very same authority then goes to the “STATE”.

    The referendum question is not badly worded, it is only guilty of undermining the very heart of the uprising Socialist Ideology within New Zealand.

    Here’s our problem, mainstream New Zealand knows their mind on this issue, we just need to remind them to vote. Over the next few weeks, we need to provide a presence within our own local communities so to encourage folk to return their voting papers.

    We invite you to join with us and deliver as many pamphlets as possible within our own neighborhoods,  We will also be setting up tables again encouraging folk to vote.

    Go to “VOTE NO” for pamphlets and other information http://www.voteno.org.nz/

    Against all the odds, it was people power that brought us success with the petition, and with a little more effort we can also bring a successful and proper conclusion to the referendum.

    If anyone is unsure on how to reach your local community, please feel free to contact myself for encouragement.

    Thank You,
    Craig Hill
    021746113
    http://www.unityforliberty.net.nz

    Remember, “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing“ (Edmund Burke 1729-1797)

  • Sheryl Savill and Bob McCoskrie on TVNZ this morning

    Sheryl Savill and Bob McCoskrie

    on TVNZ this morning

    Q+A’s Paul Holmes interviewed Sheryl Savill from Focus on the Family and Family First NZ’s Bob McCoskrie on the smacking referendum this morning on TVNZ.

    You can view the full interview here:
    http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/q-paul-holmes-interviews-cheryl-savill-and-bob-mccroskie-2871394/video

    You can  read the transcript here
    http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/q-paul-holmes-interviews-cheryl-savill-and-bob-mccroskie-2871394

    Got a comment on this issue or like to give us feedback? Email feedback@familyfirst.org.nz

    http://www.familyfirst.org.nz

  • Parents Still Flouting Smacking Law – And Still Opposing It

    MEDIA RELEASE

    25 July 2009

    Parents Still Flouting Smacking Law – And Still Opposing It

    Family First NZ says that the latest research on parental discipline by Digipoll shows that parents are continuing to flout the law and that the opposition to it remains at its high level.

    “Parents are ignoring the law because they simply don’t agree with it and because it is so confusing, but what is most significant in this latest poll is that even parents who choose not to smack are opposed to it being criminalized,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “More than a 1/3’rd of parents say they never smack yet only 11% believe it should be a criminal offence.”

    “On the other hand, 61% of mums and 67% of dads admitted that they are completely ignoring the law despite the potential for investigation, intervention and prosecution by CYF and the police.”

    “This research also reaffirms that parents use smacking sparingly (and have done for a number of decades), are experimenting with different parenting techniques, and that the ‘one size fits all’ model is unacceptable to parents. Parents are using different techniques for different children and that is part of the challenge of parenting – finding what works best for that particular child.”

    “The Ministry of Health’s 2006/2007 NZ Health Survey (“A Portrait of Health”) found that telling a child off was the most common form of discipline (62% of parents) yet was considered most effective by only 19% of parents who used it. 40% of parents admitted yelling but only 3.7% considered it most effective, and ‘time out’ was used 50% of the time yet only a 1/3’rd of parents who used it considered it most effective.”

    “Parenting isn’t for cowards but the expectations and laws being placed on parents are sure making it scary,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “It’s time we acknowledged the difficult role of parenting, and started supporting parents – rather than eyeing them with suspicion and submitting to the organizations who are the self-appointed experts on child rearing,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “It’s also time we targeted the real causes of child abuse and the rotten parents who are putting their kids at risk.”

    ENDS

    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie – National Director

    Mob. 027 55 555 42



    Sign up now to received FREE email updates of issues affecting families – be informed! http://www.familyfirst.org.nz/index.cfm/Sign_Up

  • Of those planning to vote, an overwhelming 85.4 percent said they would vote “no” to the question: “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2673872/Fewer-parents-smack-today-than-in-past-poll

    Fewer parents smack today than in past – poll

    Last updated 09:44 25/07/2009
    Fewer New Zealand parents smack their children today than in past decades, according to results of a poll released today. A non-binding citizens-initiated referendum on whether smacking should remain a criminal offence is due to held from next Friday to August 21. A Weekend Herald-DigiPoll poll of 200 parents of four-year-olds found that 9 percent of mothers and 8 percent of fathers smacked their children at least one a week. The figures were significantly down from those contained in four surveys by Waikato University psychologists Jane and James Ritchie from 1963 to 1997. The Ritchies found that about half of all parents of four-year-olds through those 3½ decades smacked their children at least once a week. The Digipoll results also show that two-thirds of both mothers and fathers still smack occasionally, despite the law change two years ago banning the use of force against children for the purpose of correction. However, the number who never smacked, which remained below 10 percent in the Ritchies' studies, had jumped to 39 percent of mothers and 33 percent of fathers. The poll also found that 78.5 percent of the parents questioned planned to vote in the referendum, with 14 percent saying they wouldn't be taking part and the rest unsure. Of those planning to vote, an overwhelming 85.4 percent said they would vote "no" to the question: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?" Only 10.8 percent indicated they would vote "yes". Green MP Sue Bradford, who promoted the 2007 law change, said the fall in the smacking rate was positive. "I think that's a fantastic sign of hope for the future of our nation that there has been such a dramatic shift in the last 12 years," she told the Herald. But Family First New Zealand national director Bob McCoskrie, who is urging a "no" vote at the referendum, said the poll showed that many parents were continuing to flout the law. "Parents are ignoring the law because they simply don't agree with it and because it is so confusing," he said. "But what is most significant in this latest poll is that even parents who choose not to smack are opposed to it being criminalised." - NZPA

  • Family Integrity #464 — McCoskrie Meeting invitation

    Family Integrity #464 — McCoskrie Meeting invitation

    See below.

    Craig & Barbara Smith

    https://mail.google.com/a/hef.org.nz/?ui=2&ik=ab0eb6de71&view=att&th=1228704fdcc4a095&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw

  • Your tax money is being used to fund support of the anti-smacking law, and to attack the Referendum

    DID YOU KNOW?


    Your tax money is being used to fund support of the


    anti-smacking law, and to attack the Referendum


    Government funded organisations are working and spending overtime pushing the anti-smacking law, attacking the Referendum, and promoting a yes-vote.

    Following on from the Families Commission last week, and ongoing lobbying from the Children’s Commissioner and government-funded groups like Barnardos and Plunket , the latest example is the Human Rights Commission who admitted today that they funded a legal opinion to try to validate their support for the anti-smacking law. They also labeled the Referendum as ‘flawed’ and ‘meaningless’. This opinion is released in the weeks leading to the Referendum despite the law having been in existence for 2 years – interesting timing!

    Once again, this makes a complete sham of claims by the government that the Referendum won’t make any difference, yet the law change, an answer to the Referendum, and attempts to undermine the process are being promoted by government organisations – and being paid for by taxpayers.

    But groups such as Family First NZ and many others who oppose the law and promoting a No-vote are limited to the $50,000 maximum spending limit set under the CIR Act and have to raise it through donations from individuals and families concerned by this issue. The spending limit is only targeting and penalising groups who oppose the anti-smacking law, but taxpayer-funded groups are spending like there’s no recession!

    But what government funded groups don’t have is…

    PEOPLE

    POWER!

    Tell someone about the website http://www.voteNO.org.nz
    Download some posters or brochures – photocopy – then distribute to any place where there’s people – shopping malls, sports fields, churches, social functions, family, local letterboxes. Let’s even up the debate!!


    ALL THE INFORMATION

    YOU NEED


    …..and NO Copyright!


    The VoteNO.org.nz website has all the information you need regarding the upcoming anti-smacking Referendum including
    frequently asked questions ,
    quotes of interest ,
    summary of polls ,
    summary of media releases on this issue ,
    how to enroll ,
    background of the Referendum
    even a cartoons page !


    But there are also
    FREE downloadable brochures and posters


    (and banner adverts and sidebar adverts for your blogs and website). The brochures are even in other translations including Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Chinese, and Hindi! Download them – photocopy – and distribute to family and friends!

    So GET THE WORD OUT on what this Referendum is all about.

    There’s no copyright – we won’t sue you for plagiarism! GO FOR YOUR LIFE!!

    But especially – encourage people to vote!

    We can also make the videos available to show to your group including Simon Barnett , Referendum proposer Sheryl Savill and Maori Child Advocate Bev Adair – simply email us admin@familyfirst.org.nz for the files

    There’s also a blog , we’re on Twitter , and a group of supporters have started a Facebook group

    IT’S ALL GO!

    You may even like to financially support the VoteNO campaign!!

    But at the end of the day, the Referendum is about you having the opportunity to have YOUR say! Help send a strong message to the politicians that they simply cannot ignore – no matter how much they spend to try and shut you up!

    Bob McCoskrie
    National Director

    http://www.familyfirst.org.nz