The government's proposed changes to Family Court procedures don't do enough to protect children, a conference has been told.
Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier says a separate child protection court should be set up.
He told the Public Health Association conference today the proposed changes focused mainly on children who were victims of parental disputes.
"We must be careful not to lose focus on our responsibility to intervene on behalf of all children in need of care or protection," he said.
"There is little doubt in my mind that effective early intervention could be offered by a separate care and protection court, or a division of the Family Court which has specialist staff and dedicated judges."
Justice Minister Judith Collins announced the proposed changes last month.
They include establishing a Family Dispute Resolution Service to help people get on with their lives as quickly as possible, increased penalties for breaching protection orders and new domestic violence programmes.
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