A new child abuse report system could be implemented in New Zealand if discussions in The White Paper for Vulnerable Children and Children Action Plan go ahead.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is hosting a meeting tomorrow on the White Paper for Vulnerable Children and Children Action Plan at the Arataki Community Centre in Mount Maunganui.

The White Paper, including the Children's Action Plan, discusses how the Government can improve outcomes for New Zealand's most vulnerable children, including a new protect call-line investigating only serious cases.

Simon says many people are concerned about children but are reluctant to call Child, Youth and Family. He says the new call-line will be the first point of contact and ensure the right response.

'It will be expert driven and will mean there will be better processes for complaints about child abuse and the right procedures to sift the significant from perhaps the less merited ones.”

'Firstly you have got to have a safe call-line where anyone can feel there are no security problems or comeback on them calling in with what they know.”

Simon says the Government wants a system where calls are treated seriously to the extent where possible cases are investigated.

'But of course with any system like that it's possible that there will be some calls which are maliciously motivated so you need to have process to ensure that you are following through on the right ones but as best as you can sifting through ones that may not have a valid basis.”

Simon says everyone is responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of New Zealand Children.

'Too many New Zealand children are seriously abused and neglected. In many cases of extreme abuse a range of people had some information but no one put all the pieces together. It is time for fundamental change.”

Proposed discussions in The White Paper include a vulnerable children's information system and a comprehensive risk predictor tool to help identify vulnerable children before they are abused.

Other submissions discussing on-going support for families who take in a child may be provided by non-government organisations including more specialists training for caregivers.

Child abuse prevention orders allowing judges to stop child abusers from gaining access to children will also be discussed.

'This White Paper is bigger than politics. It is bigger than any one individual. It is not only for this generation of children, but also for their children and their grandchildren.

'It gives us clear, easy to digest direction on how our child protection system will be reformed and the new measures that will be implemented over the coming decade.”

The White Paper meeting is open to public. The meeting is from 9.30am – 11am.

For more information about the White Paper for Vulnerable Children visit www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz/