The Families Commission has cancelled plans for a $200,000 summit after the Government expressed concern about the cost.
The Action for Families Summit, which was to be held in Auckland in February, was intended to bring 150 decision-makers together for two days to develop strategies that could lead to positive changes for families.
The commission released a statement on Tuesday saying it had scrapped the summit, citing tough economic times and a need for Government departments to tighten their belts.
Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett welcomed the decision, saying she did not think the summit was a good use of taxpayers' money.
She said she voiced her views on the summit in a letter to the commission last week.
Ms Bennett says she still believes the Families Commission has a role to play and the Government has no plans to scrap it.
Chief commissioner Jan Pryor said the summit was carefully considered, and an adventurous idea that may well have worked under different circumstances.
Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly was to attend and says it is ironic the Government has spoken out about the conference, when it has said that supporting families is an area of priority.
The union for public servants (PSA) described the Government's move as unnecessary interference.
