Helen Clark said the commission would fulfil a policy priority of the government coalition partners, and United Future.

The government has support on confidence and supply for this term of Parliament under an agreement reached with United Future.

Helen Clark and Peter Dunne said that the government and United Future agreed that identifying the issues facing New Zealand families and providing better support for families to nurture children was vitally important.

“Today’s announcement is also a tangible sign that political parties can co-operate and deliver under MMP for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

“There are many other issues on which the two coalition parties and United Future will work together as we continue to build a constructive relationship,” Helen Clark and Peter Dunne said.