Standing with Our Tamariki: Tula’i at the Launch of the Dear Children Campaign
Tula’i was honoured to attend the launch of the Dear Children campaign, led by the Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad, standing alongside organisations, advocates, and leaders committed to advancing the rights, voices, and wellbeing of children and young people across Aotearoa.
Attending on behalf of Tula’i, our General Manager joined the launch as a moment of both reflection and responsibility—recognising the importance of listening deeply to children and ensuring their voices shape the systems, services, and communities that surround them.
Why Dear Children Matters
The Dear Children campaign is grounded in a simple but powerful idea: children and young people deserve to be heard, valued, and protected. It calls on adults, organisations, and decision-makers to take seriously the lived experiences of children and to uphold their rights in meaningful, practical ways.
For Pasifika children in particular, whose voices are often underrepresented in policy and decision-making spaces, this kaupapa strongly resonates. The campaign reinforces the need for approaches that are relational, culturally grounded, and responsive to the realities of children, their whānau, and their communities.
Alignment with the Tula’i Kaupapa
At Tula’i, our work is deeply rooted in walking alongside Pasifika rangatahi—supporting identity, leadership, wellbeing, and belonging. We believe that when children and young people are affirmed in who they are and supported by strong, values-led communities, they are better equipped to thrive.
The Dear Children campaign aligns closely with Tula’i’s commitment to:
Listening to young people and centring their voices
Creating safe, nurturing spaces for growth and leadership
Advocating for systems that work with communities, not to them
Strengthening collective responsibility for the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi
Our programmes, including Tula’i Ngāue and Inspiring Growth for Pasifika, reflect this commitment by creating opportunities for young people to share their perspectives, develop agency, and contribute to solutions within their communities.
A Shared Responsibility
A key message from the launch was that safeguarding and uplifting children is a shared responsibility—across government, education, community organisations, and whānau. Real change requires collaboration, long-term commitment, and a willingness to be guided by the voices of children themselves.
For Tula’i, attending the launch reinforced the importance of continuing to advocate for Pasifika children and young people, particularly those navigating systemic barriers, inequities, and transitions within education and community settings.
Looking Ahead
As the Dear Children campaign continues, Tula’i remains committed to embedding children’s rights and voices into our programmes, partnerships, and advocacy. We look forward to walking alongside others who share this vision, ensuring Pasifika children are not only seen and heard, but supported to flourish.
We encourage our community, partners, and supporters to engage with the Dear Children campaign and reflect on the role we each play in creating environments where children feel safe, valued, and empowered.
Fa’afetai tele lava to Mana Mokopuna and the Children’s Commissioner for leading this important kaupapa, and to all those who continue to champion the wellbeing of our tamariki.
— Team Tula’i
