What do you mean by Family?

PRINCIPLES ON FAMILY
1. We affirm that the natural family, not the individual, is the fundamental social unit.

2. We affirm the natural family to be the union of a man and a woman through marriage for the purposes of sharing love and joy, raising children, providing their moral education, building a vital home economy, offering security in times of trouble, and binding the generations.

3. We affirm that the natural family is a fixed aspect of the created order, one implanted in human nature. Through time it may grow weaker or stronger. However, the natural family cannot change into some new shape; nor can it be re-defined by eager social engineers.

4. We affirm that the natural family is the foundational family system. While we acknowledge varied living situations caused by circumstance or dysfunction, all other “family forms” are incomplete or fabrications of the state.

5. We acknowledge the tremendous contribution made by single parents and step-parents in society. We wish to ensure they receive appropriate levels of assistance, without denying the clear empirical evidence that the best environment in which to raise children is the natural two-parent, husband-wife family.

6. We affirm the marital union to be the authentic sexual bond, the only one open to the natural and responsible creation of new life.

7. We affirm the sanctity of human life from conception to death; each newly conceived person holds rights to live, to grow, to be born, and to share a home with his or her natural parents bound by marriage.

8. We affirm that the natural family is prior to the state and that the task of government is to shelter and encourage the natural family.

9. We affirm that the world is abundant in resources. The breakdown of the natural family and the consequential moral and political failure, not human “overpopulation,” account for poverty, starvation, and environmental decay.

10.We affirm that the complementarity of the sexes is a source of strength. Men and women exhibit profound biological and psychological differences. When united in marriage, the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.

11.We affirm that lasting solutions to human problems rise out of families and small communities. They cannot be imposed by bureaucratic and judicial fiat. Nor can they be coerced by outside force.

Adapted from “The Natural Family: A Manifesto” – World Congress of Families

What are your main goals?

Information - our latest Family First Press Releases designed to present a pro-family perspective to the media on current news and government policy

Education – Family First News Items - newspapers and internet-based news from NZ and around the world, affecting the family – including ones that have slipped under the radar of the NZ media – for whatever reason! This also includes the latest research to do with families

Motivation – Family First Action Alerts where you can be active in lobbying the media by writing letters to the editor and articles for newspapers, ringing talkback radio, and making submissions to MP’s, local Councils and Select Committees, and policy makers

Cooperation – linking with other like minded lobby, academic and think-tank groups, sharing resources, encouraging each other, and presenting a strong united voice for families here

How are you funded?

We are funded by groups, organisations and individuals like you - who want to see a strong voice for families in the media and community. 

How do I join?

We don’t have an official membership. However, by registering to receive our updates, and offering support (financial, goods/services, prayer), this all helps us provide a strong voice for families

Any other questions?

Please email us admin@familyfirst.org.nz 
and we will answer your question/s as soon as possible.