Summaries of United Future's position papers are available by clicking a link below

GENETIC MODIFICATION   1. General Principles   2. Family   3. Education   4. Health   5. Finding Futures   6. Economy   7. Law & Order   8. Immigration   9. Electoral System 10. New Zealand Superannuation 11. Drug Abuse & Dependency 12. Golden Plan for Positive Ageing 13. Treaty Issues 14. Caring for Kids 15. Young New Zealanders 16. Information Technology 17. Environment 18. Transport 19. Arts & Culture 20. Local Government 21. Emergency Services 22. Foreign Affairs & Defence 23. Government that Works

United Future believes that families are the foundation stone of our society. New Zealand urgently needs strong, sensible and supportive family policies. We are committed to ensuring that all New Zealand families have the opportunity to participate fully in society.

United Future will:

• establish a Commission for the Family to include a family support agency and a national centre for research into the family, and to co-ordinate government departments
• increase funding to ensure all children receive the recommended 8 Well Child health checks
• adequately resource the Parents as First Teachers programme to guarantee all at risk children and their families a place and progressively expand the programme to include all families
• establish family service centres in communities where parenting and family support needs are greatest, with emphasis on local solutions for local problems
• expand the current vision and hearing tests in schools to include years 1,3, 5 and 7
• promote parenting programmes with a strong emphasis on child education, health and parental responsibility
• promote family mediation services to offer support and guidance to marriages in difficulty and appropriate counselling as necessary
• introduce a family literacy programme to enable parents to learn the skills necessary to understand printed material encountered in everyday life
• ensure the taxation system takes into account the costs of raising a family, including examining new approaches such as child care rebates and income splitting
• fund youth clinics in schools to give information and advice where required on health, lifestyle, financial support and other personal issues to assist them in achieving their goals
• deliver a comprehensive education strategy relating to all aspects of the use and misuse of drugs in contemporary society.