A bill which will prevent convicted child sex offenders from changing their names is set to pass its first hurdle tonight.
National, New Zealand First and the Act Party have indicated they will support National MP Jian Yang's private member's bill, meaning it has the numbers to pass its first reading.
Dr Yang told Parliament this afternoon that his bill was designed to maintain public safety and assist with the rehabilitation of criminals.
He said it would give parents confidence that people who worked with their children had been properly vetted.
"This will prevent ... sex offenders from being able to change their names in an attempt to get closer to innocent children," he said.