Special issue on child health and wellbeing released

On 17 July 2015, Tawatihitihi o te Rāwhitiroa Carlson Kingi was birthed at home, in Owhairaka. This was a whānau event alongside whaiāipo, kuia, tamariki and a kurī. Pictured with his whānau Maggie Kingi (left), Wiremu Kingi (middle), Okaire Lewis (right). Photographer: Claire Humphries, North Shore, Tāmaki Makaurau.

As stated in the editorial:

"Childhood and young adulthood are important stages of growing, learning and development. Yet, there are increasing pressures and challenges that children and young people face. These factors may adversely impact upon their health and wellbeing, and thereupon have long-lasting effects on our society as a whole.

"In order to highlight the pressures and challenges experienced by children and young people growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand, this special issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand is the first of two volumes bringing together manuscripts focusing on aspects of health and welfare/wellbeing relevant to children and young people.

"The manuscripts in this issue focus on the critical importance of the first 1000 days, oral health and food security, mokopuna Māori perspectives of well-being, and adolescent health and well-being. Together they highlight critical issues, including inequities, and provide a clear challenge to us all to enact transformative changes for current and future generations of children and young people. For transformational change to occur, we must honour the voices and experiences of children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand and uphold their individual and collective rights.

"In pursuit of wellbeing for all children and young people, and equity within health, welfare and beyond, it is vital to make space for children and young people to have their voices heard. As part of this, we have ensured that there is rangatahi Māori representation on the guest editorial team for this special issue, as well as inclusion of rangatahi Māori and other young people as authors of its constituent manuscripts. The voices and expertise of children and young people must not be underestimated, particularly if we adults are professing to act in their best interests."

GUEST EDITORS

Tahirah Materoa Moton (Auckland), Paula Toko King (Otago/WLG), Stuart R. Dalziel (Auckland), Sally Merry (Starship), Stephen P. Robertson (Auckland) & Andrew S. Day (Otago/CHCH)

Link to the issue: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tnzr20/52/4?nav=tocList

Editorial: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03036758.2022.2093434

Table of contents

All articles will remain freely accessible until 31 August 2022.