Write a Letter
Contact your member of parliament (MP) and Ministers
Writing to your MP is one of the simplest and most effective ways to have your voice heard. MPs pay attention when constituents take the time to contact them directly. If you’re concerned about vulnerable adults, sending a short email or letter is a practical way to express this and ask them to act.
Tips for contacting your MP
Contact details for all current MPs, along with guidance on how to address Members of Parliament in correspondence, can be found on the NZ Parliament website.
Keep your letter or email brief — ideally no more than one page (around 250 words).
You may find the example below helpful. Feel free to adapt it or use parts that reflect your own views.
Include a clear heading so the purpose of your letter is immediately obvious, e.g. Vulnerable adults support services.
Start with your most important point in the first sentence.
Use the next two or three paragraphs to explain why you want Vulnerable adults legislation.
Including relevant facts can help strengthen your message.
Share why this issue matters to you personally — MPs pay attention when constituents speak from their own experience and values.
Ask the MP to respond to your letter or email so you know their position.
If you are sending a letter by post, remember that you do not need a stamp when writing to your MP.
All MP email addresses follow the same format: firstname.surname@parliament.govt.nz.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Email]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
Hon [Minister's Full Name]
Minister for [Portfolio, e.g., Health]
Freepost Parliament
Private Bag 18 888
Parliament Buildings
Wellington 6160
RE: [Brief, clear subject of your request]
Dear Minister,
I am writing to you as a constituent/concerned citizen regarding Vulnerable Adults in New Zealand who are not sufficiently protected against abuse. A centralised, coordinated, and integrated support service should be available for vulnerable adults and their whanau. It is important that whanau are supported so that they can support members of their whanau who are vulnerable adults. Existing legislation in New Zealand makes little or no provision —
to require agencies to report or investigate suspected neglect or abuse:
to enable agencies to provide protection, a place of safety, or to prosecute perpetrators:
to make a lead agency responsible to ensure the coordination of the investigation of abuse, neglect, and protection of vulnerable adults:
to enable agencies to take a joint approach to a safeguarding strategy and appropriate training:
to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable adults or having access to them through their work:
for an independent advocacy service for vulnerable people:
to support vulnerable adults and their carers:
to give vulnerable adults and their careers a voice:
for a place where vulnerable adults and their carers or people concerned about them can seek help.
We want this changed.
OR
Our organisation wants to see Vulnerable Adults in New Zealand protected against all forms of abuse. A centralised, coordinated, and integrated support service should be available for vulnerable adults and their whanau. It is important that whanau are supported so that they can support members of their whanau who are vulnerable adults. Existing legislation in New Zealand makes little or no provision —
to require agencies to report or investigate suspected neglect or abuse:
to enable agencies to provide protection, a place of safety, or to prosecute perpetrators:
to make a lead agency responsible to ensure the coordination of the investigation of abuse, neglect, and protection of vulnerable adults:
to enable agencies to take a joint approach to a safeguarding strategy and appropriate training:
to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable adults or having access to them through their work:
for an independent advocacy service for vulnerable people:
to support vulnerable adults and their carers:
to give vulnerable adults and their careers a voice:
for a place where vulnerable adults and their carers or people concerned about them can seek help.
We want this changed.
OR
Our family wants to see Vulnerable Adults in New Zealand protected against all forms of abuse. As a whanau of a victim this has been devastating and horrifying see a beloved person being abused and the perpetrator not held to account. We believe a centralised, coordinated, and integrated support service should be available for vulnerable adults and their whanau. It is important that whanau are supported so that they can support members of their whanau who are vulnerable adults. Existing legislation in New Zealand makes little or no provision —
to require agencies to report or investigate suspected neglect or abuse:
to enable agencies to provide protection, a place of safety, or to prosecute perpetrators:
to make a lead agency responsible to ensure the coordination of the investigation of abuse, neglect, and protection of vulnerable adults:
to enable agencies to take a joint approach to a safeguarding strategy and appropriate training:
to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable adults or having access to them through their work:
for an independent advocacy service for vulnerable people:
to support vulnerable adults and their carers:
to give vulnerable adults and their careers a voice:
for a place where vulnerable adults and their carers or people concerned about them can seek help.
We want this changed.
OR
I want to see Vulnerable Adults in New Zealand protected against all forms of abuse. As a victim this has been devastating and horrifying and the perpetrator not held to account. A centralised, coordinated, and integrated support service should be available for vulnerable adults and their whanau. It is important that whanau are supported so that they can support members of their whanau who are vulnerable adults. Existing legislation in New Zealand makes little or no provision —
to require agencies to report or investigate suspected neglect or abuse:
to enable agencies to provide protection, a place of safety, or to prosecute perpetrators:
to make a lead agency responsible to ensure the coordination of the investigation of abuse, neglect, and protection of vulnerable adults:
to enable agencies to take a joint approach to a safeguarding strategy and appropriate training:
to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable adults or having access to them through their work:
for an independent advocacy service for vulnerable people:
to support vulnerable adults and their carers:
to give vulnerable adults and their careers a voice:
for a place where vulnerable adults and their carers or people concerned about them can seek help.
We want this changed.
[Paragraph 2: Provide details, facts, and personal experience of how this issue affects you or your community. Keep it to 2-3 main points].
[Paragraph 3: We want you to confirm your support for a change to legislation to protect our most vulnerable adults in our society.
I look forward to your response on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]