As part of its overhaul of child care and protection services, the Government had flagged its intention to raise the age a young person could be in state care from 17 to 18. It was also considering provisions for further support for those up to 25.
This week's announcement, that children will now be able to remain in state care until the age of 21, and can still access support and advice until the age of 25, is significant.
It is an acknowledgment of one of the (many) failings in the present system where the State in its role as ''parent'' effectively turfed out its charges when they were still vulnerable teens.
Many youngsters of that age with far better histories, prospects, support, financial backing and life skills struggle to cope.
The Government should be commended for indicating it will make a meaningful financial and social change here. Indeed, its commitment to overhauling the entire care and protection set-up is admirable.
While the systemic problems with the Child, Youth and Family cannot be laid at the feet of the current Government alone, it takes courage for any administration to acknowledge liability and to take a stand on its watch.
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley has shown real willingness when it comes to acknowledging the problems, seeking advice and implementing change.
It cannot be easy to admit not only that children have not been at the centre of the system designed for their care and protection, but that the life outcomes for many are ''dreadful'', that children in state care have been effectively re-traumatised by each new placement, and have been passed from pillar to post.
It must also be galling to acknowledge we are no longer a world leader when it comes to our children and are having to look further afield to see what other jurisdictions are doing in the area.
But it is pleasing the Government is considering expert advice and looking anywhere necessary to do the best thing.
It appears many of the 81 recommendations made last year by the Modernising Child Youth and Family Expert Panel (which included Dunedin professor Richie Poulton) are being seriously considered and are likely to be implemented.
The Government has stolen the Left's traditional thunder on this issue and is beginning to build momentum.
After years of confronting headlines, followed by endless reports, reviews and expert panels, words are translating into actions, despair to real hope: hope for the system, for those who work within it, and - most importantly - for those who are supposed to be helped by it but have so often been terribly let down.
There is the potential to make a real difference and leave a significant social legacy.
Of course it is early days. The age changes will be phased in over the next few years, and there is much yet to be addressed.
The pressure is on from abroad, too. The United Nations' Committee on the Rights of the Child recently gave New Zealand a black mark on many areas.
And the changes must be well-planned and implemented, agencies must start ''talking to each other'' so children don't continue to fall through the cracks and there must be adequate resourcing.
Without that, the Government's new warm fuzzy mantra of ''wraparound support'' will be window dressing.
For now, though, it is important to give credit where credit is due. The Government has seen that supporting our most vulnerable children well into young adulthood is a worthy investment. Hopefully, we can all reap the benefits in the future.
