Russell Wills
Will the Children's Commissioner be scrapped?
The Children's Commissioner and one of her predecessors are speaking out against plans to scrap the Commissioner role and overhaul the monitoring of Oranga Tamariki. The bill would replace the… Audio
Increased funding needed to halve child poverty
The government wants to halve child poverty within the next decade, and the funding to do this is expected to be a key part of the government's Wellbeing Budget this week. Official figures show more… Audio
What will Wellbeing Budget do to fix child poverty?
Those at the coal-face of New Zealand's child poverty problems say it will not be eradicated until there is a fundamental shift in the way we deal with the issue.
Funding to tackle child poverty is… Audio
Co-living to share housing costs
A 21st century version of dorm living for adult is emerging as a way for city dwellers who have to negotiate their way through pricey accomodation costs. Co-living is a growing trend around the world… Audio
Flu vaccinations
Influenza viruses are nasty bugs which can strike you down with illness for two weeks. For the vulnerable it can be deadly. Public health experts advise people to be vaccinated each year. Dr Russell… Audio
School fundraisers involving alcohol not ok on school grounds
Hawke's Bay paediatrician Russell Wills opposed allowing Port Ahuriri School holding a fundraiser that involved alcohol. Many schools have events that include booze. We ask Dr Wills why was this event… Audio
Child poverty doubles in 30 years
A report out today by the Children's Commissioner says nearly one third of New Zealand children are living in poverty. Audio
Under-resourcing blamed for critical report into CYF
Social workers are blaming under-resourcing for failings highlighted in a highly critical review of how Child Youth and Family dealt with the so-called roastbusters case in 2013. Audio
Children's Commissioner criticises Govt's Obesity Plan
New Zealand has the third highest rate of childhood obesity in the OECD, behind Greece and Italy. There are 22 initiatives under the Childhood Obesity Plan, including identifying obese children before… Audio
'Dump and run' in state care
A woman who spent years in multiple foster homes says the system is broken and cannot be repaired. Audio
Children's Commissioner says CYF failing children in state care
Five thousand children are in the care of the state but a new report by the Children's Commissioner questions whether they are better off as a result of that intervention. In his first comprehensive… Audio
Children's Commissioner's scathing CYF report
Child, Youth and Family has been accused of a "dump and run" culture in a scathing report published today. Audio
Children's commissioner says no plan for child poverty
The Children's Commissioner, Dr Russell Wills, says he's pleasantly surprised to see a rise in benefits of up 25-dollars for beneficiaries with children. Audio
NZ's Neglected Fetal Alcohol Problem
Philippa Tolley investigates the scale of the burden caused by NZ's neglected foetal alcohol problem Audio
What needs to change at Child Youth & Family?
Russell Wills is the Commissioner for Children and Deborah Morris-Travers is UNICEF New Zealand's Advocacy Manager. Audio
Children's Commissioner on child abuse statistics
The number of children being abused in New Zealand has fallen for the first time in a decade. Audio
Children's Commissioner concerned by poverty numbers
Joining us is the Children's Commissioner, Dr Russell Wills. Audio
Children's Commissioner says it's time for further action on child poverty
Documents obtained by Radio New Zealand show the government was advised not to spend more money on tackling child poverty - but to adjust where the money is being spent. Audio
Children's Commissioner discusses free health care
Russell Wills, Commissioner for Children. Audio
Report says 25 percent of children are living in poverty
New Zealand's first annual Child Poverty Monitor has been published - and it shows that more than 260-thousand children are living in poverty. According to the report, prepared by the Office of the… Audio