Family First New Zealand is a conservative advocacy group in New Zealand.
It was founded in March 2006 with former Radio Rhema talkback host and South Auckland social worker Bob McCoskrie as the National Director. Its stated aim is to "seek to influence public policy affecting the rights and protection of families and promote a culture that values the family."[1]
It supported a petition for a citizens-initiated referendum to overturn the 2007 amendment act which repealed Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961.[2] The petition gained 324,316 signatures although only 285,027 were required for a referendum. When checked for invalid signatures there was a shortfall of 15,000 signatures.[3] Sufficient signatures were then obtained to hold the New Zealand citizens-initiated referendum, 2009. In May 2009, Family First criticised the Government for spending $8 million on the referendum which they felt should have been held at the same time as the general election.[4]
In a report commissioned by Family First, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research estimated the cost to taxpayers of family breakdown and a decrease in marriage rates to be $1 billion.[5]
Family First produces "Value Your Vote", a brochure and accompanying website which are a voting guide primarily concerned with each candidate's record and opinions on issues which are seen as of detriment to the family by conservative Christians, such as civil unions, prostitution and abortion.[6] This guide has been published for the 2008 general election,[7] the 2010 Auckland mayoral election,[8] and the 2011 general election.[7]