What we do: Advocacy | World Vision NZ

We want all children, everywhere, to live in safety and dignity

We advocate for lasting change. We believe in the power of a person’s voice and its ability to do the impossible, to battle inequality and call for justice. We relentlessly advocate for an end to violence against children and ensure the voices of the world’s most vulnerable children are heard loud and clear.

As we work alongside communities to build a better world for children, our advocacy challenges the policies, systems, structures, practices and attitudes that make it difficult for vulnerable children and their families to experience life in all its fullness.

By addressing the systemic contributors to and causes of poverty, World Vision’s advocacy work ensures that community transformation is sustainable and scalable. World Vision advocates at the local, national, regional and global levels, informed by our experience working with communities.

We did it! A Modern Slavery Bill has been introduced to Parliament

You asked MPs to unite behind one bill, and they did. For the first time ever, major political parties worked together across party lines, using the Rule of 61 to fast-track the Modern Slavery Bill straight into Parliament.

If passed, it will require New Zealand businesses to report on modern slavery risks in their supply chains and act, bringing transparency, stronger support for victims, and accountability for the 50 million people living in modern slavery worldwide.

This progress belongs to every Kiwi who took action. Thank you.

But we're not done. The bill must still be debated and go through the democratic process before year’s end. Time is short. Parliament must prioritise it. You helped get this bill here. Now let's ensure it becomes law. Email your MP today.
Learn more

Our education work in Africa is making learning possible

All children in Solomon Islands have the right to be protected against child marriage. Currently 21% of girls and 4% of boys are married before the age of 18 in Solomon Islands with 6% of girls married before the age of 15.

Through our Make it 18 Campaign, we’re calling on the Solomon Islands Government to raise the legal marriage from 15 to 18, ensuring every child is protected from child marriage.

Children, youth, parents, and leaders have voiced overwhelming support for legal reforms to prevent child marriage. Our latest report captures their voices and outlines actionable recommendations to the Government of Solomon Islands that we hope will lead to law change.

Read the report now

Advocating for a stronger, fairer Climate Finance

New Zealand, alongside other high-income nations, have a responsibility to support communities in low-income countries grappling with the impacts of climate change.

With the establishment of a new climate finance global goal of US$300 billion by 2035 at COP29, wealthy countries like New Zealand need to take the lead in meeting this goal to support countries on the frontlines of climate change.

World Vision New Zealand is urging the Government to commit to paying its fair share of the new global goal when its current funding ends in 2025. Our recent report with Oxfam Aotearoa finds New Zealand’s fair share to be at least 0.38% and up to 0.66% of the global goal.
Learn more

Afghanistan evacuation and resettlement research report

This research highlights the challenges faced by Afghan nationals who resettled in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2021 following the fall of Kabul.

The report, commissioned by World Vision, Amnesty International, and Action Station, urges the New Zealand Government to provide equal support to all people who resettle for humanitarian reasons, and to develop and resource an effective crisis evacuation and resettlement model for future emergencies.

“I could see the fear, the fear of not knowing where to go, where to get support, and also not being able to express themselves because of the language barrier.”

Read the report

Special Ukraine Policy Survey

In March 2022, the New Zealand Government announced the Special Ukraine Policy. This policy allowed for 4,000 Ukrainians to enter New Zealand, however we were alerted by the fact that very few people were arriving.

World Vision with Mahi for Ukraine surveyed nearly 200 Ukrainians to understand barriers in accessing the visa and produced a report with key policy recommendations for the Government.

In 2023, the Government agreed to several of the policy changes, which allows more Ukrainians to seek safety in New Zealand.

Read the report

Let's make sure the Modern Slavery Bill becomes law

Email your MP now

Advocacy

Join the movement: advocate for lasting change.

We want all children, everywhere, to live in safety and dignity

We did it! A Modern Slavery Bill has been introduced to Parliament

Children advocating for change in Solomon Islands

Advocating for a stronger, fairer Climate Finance

We're advocating with refugees forced to leave everything behind.

Afghanistan evacuation and resettlement research report

Special Ukraine Policy Survey

Explore our latest reports to stay informed on the change we’re advocating for together.