Tim Macindoe’s Speech at Child Matters’ launch of Hidden in Front of Us
Tuesday 24 August 2010, Grand Hall, Parliament House
Tena tätou katoa. Naumai ki te Whare Paremata. Thank you all very much for joining us for this significant occasion. Tena koutou katoa kua haere mai nei ki te whakanui tënei hui.
My name is Tim Macindoe. I am the MP for Hamilton West and a member of Parliament’s Social Services Select Committee. This evening I have the privilege of welcoming you all to the Grand Hall in Parliament for us to celebrate and witness the culmination of many months of work by a dedicated team.
I am proud to say that Child Matters, the organisation headed by Anthea Simcock, is based in my electorate, where they have for many years undertaken research, training and advocacy into an issue of huge significance and which challenges each and every one of us.
May I present the apologies of our Prime Minister John Key, and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, both of whom greatly regret being unable to be with us this evening.
Indeed Paula is very sorry that an unavoidable competing commitment has prevented her at the last minute from officially launching the work we are here to acknowledge. This is an issue that she is determined to tackle and she is hugely supportive of the team at Child Matters and the vital work they are doing.
However, we are delighted that the baton has been picked up by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Tony Ryall. I thank him for that and also acknowledge all of my Parliamentary colleagues from all sides of the House who are present this evening.
Tonight we have with us a Who’s Who of community leaders and tireless workers who collectively promote and support our nation’s efforts to overcome and prevent abuse of those who are vulnerable in every corner of our land and every sector of society.
Quite literally, many of the victims are hidden in front of us. Some of them are with us.
Child Matters’ vision is one that no doubt we all share – that New Zealand should be the safest place in the world for children.
Sadly, as we are reminded almost weekly by reports of tragic and horrific events, it is sometimes the opposite. That’s why we need Child Matters.
To those who as children suffered, often in silence, terror, and over many years, I extend a special welcome and our compassion and aroha. Your courage in sharing your stories, and in particular your determination to expose our problem and to do all you can to break the cycle and protect others, are humbling and inspiring.
Me whakanuia tätou. Kia kaha.
I’m not going to single out anyone for special mention as to do so would require me to acknowledge so many of you individually.
Suffice it to say that we have been joined by judges, police, the heads of major government departments and agencies, early childhood educators and caregivers, children’s commissioners, social services providers, central and local body politicians, health providers, counsellors, philanthropists, survivors of child abuse and many others.
You are all distinguished guests. You are all very welcome and we thank you sincerely for being here.
We also celebrate tonight the launch of a new name for the wonderful team that has been known as CPS Training for the past sixteen years. Anthea will explain the reasoning behind the name change in a few moments. She will also provide the background to the research that has resulted in this book, and introduce subsequent speakers.
Having had regular contact with Anthea and her team in recent times, I know how much work they have all undertaken in completing this project, and how much emotional energy has been expended.
Their efforts are grounded in the Waikato but their work has national significance. The training they provide to adults to enable us all to anticipate, detect and counter child abuse, and to assist victims to recover, is ground-breaking and hugely important.
It’s now my special pleasure to introduce and welcome the CEO of Child Matters, Anthea Simcock, Trust Board Chair Paula Sullivan, and their team of trustees and staff members, for whom this is a momentous occasion.
Would you please join me in acknowledging the courage, the dedication and the life-changing impact of the team from Child Matters.
I invite Anthea to address us.
Na reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.
