“Now We Are Twelve” focuses on the lived experience of 12-year-olds and their families, covering topics identified as key to the ongoing wellbeing and improvement of life here in Aotearoa such as material wellbeing and identity (ethnic and gender).

Thousands of young people and their families contributed to “Now We Are Twelve”, encompassing a diverse group with a variety of experiences. The study has been following the lives of these children since before they were born including at significant milestones.

The findings are being released as a series of nine Snapshots, covering nine topics developed by researchers alongside key Government departments to respond to current policy priorities for children and young people.

The topics to be covered are:

• Ethnic and gender identity (published today – see more info below)
• Material hardship (published today – see more info below)
• Housing and homelessness
• Food insecurity
• Experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and young people’s wellbeing
• Young people's experience of depression and anxiety symptoms
• School engagement
• The impact of disability on young people and their family
• Relationships with parents, peers and special adults.

These will be released between early April and end of June for use by researchers and decision makers and for anyone wanting to improve the lives of and understand the needs of young people and their families and in New Zealand.

The Children and Families Research Fund provides funding to use the Growing Up in New Zealand data to support research into aspects of young people’s lives across the motu and is regularly made available to researcher and research institutions.

The study is conducted by the University of Auckland UniServices, funded by the NZ Government and administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Julia Crosfield

Media and Communications, Growing Up in New Zealand
Julia.Crosfield@auckland.ac.nz
027 282 4896‍

Saraid Black

Communications Manager, Growing Up in New Zealand
Saraid.black@auckland.ac.nz
09 923 7390 or 0274 732 211

Background for editors:

Now We Are Twelve:

• See the Now We Are Twelve snapshot series here: Now We Are Twelve (growingup.co.nz)
• The Now We Are Twelve snapshot series is being published between April and June 2023and covers the following topics: ethnic and gender identity (released today); material hardship (released today); food security; housing and homelessness; experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic; mental health; school engagement; disability; and relationships.  

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