Buddies teach about abuse

CITY HALL: Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout's buddy was named Jimmy Epic Hope.

Life-sized cardboard children attended meetings, schools, hospitals and MPs' offices throughout Tauranga yesterday as part of efforts to raise awareness of child abuse in the community.

The cut-outs were part of Buddy Day, which was held in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Tauranga.

The buddies were created by children, who created a back story for each cut-out, then assigned an adult "carer". The buddy profiles are recorded in a diary that accompanies the buddy on their day's adventure.

Olympian cyclist Sarah Ulmer, Tauranga Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout and local MPs Todd Muller and Simon Bridges were among the high-profile carers who took their buddies along with them on their jobs yesterday.

"I really enjoyed it. I think it's a fantastic opportunity to heighten awareness," said Mr Clout.

Mr Clout's buddy was named Jimmy Epic Hope and enjoys pizza, Minecraft and Pokemon. Jimmy joined Mr Clout at a meeting with a man wanting to develop a section of Matapihi.

"It was really good," said the deputy mayor.

"I took my buddy for a walk along the beach and I was able to talk to the guy about child abuse. Then I took him to my office at council. I had a brief meeting with one of the police sergeants, so he got to hang out at the beach and in the deputy mayor's office."

More than 30 senior managers at Tauranga Hospital spent the day with their buddies, including buddies created by young patients in the hospital's children's ward.

Chief operating officer Pete Chandler said one of the key themes of Buddy Day is that it's up to everyone to look out for children. "It's also about starting conversations around child welfare and this is a great way. Carrying a buddy with you naturally does that, people are interested in what you're doing."

Mr Chandler's buddy was created by children's ward patient Brodie Hunter.

Brodie said Mikey was originally from Italy but came to live in New Zealand after visiting his grandmother, and his favourite game was Trivial Pursuit.

All 550 Mount Maunganui Intermediate School students created 142 buddies for local adults to care for.

The event was organised by Child Matters and originated in Hamilton.