What makes the Kiwi family tick will be analysed in a new research project to be launched by Prime Minister Helen Clark in Otara, South Auckland, tomorrow.
About 15,000 question packs are being distributed as the Families Commission tries to discover what pressures, problems and choices families face and make.
Miss Clark launches the research campaign What Makes Your Family Tick at the Otara flea markets.
Families chief commissioner Rajen Prasad said the research would help develop public policy and education.
The findings of public consultation, focus groups and case studies into families will be published in a series of publicly available reports later in the year.
Meanwhile, neither maverick MP John Tamihere nor his electorate office returned NZPA calls enquiring whether he would attend the launch in his Tamaki Makaurau electorate tomorrow.
If he did appear with Miss Clark it would be the first joint public appearance since Mr Tamihere caused an uproar by lashing unions, women, gays, Maori and slated senior colleagues including Miss Clark in a recent interview.
On Wednesday he apologised for the comments, but said he could not retract what had already been said.
A spokesman from Miss Clark's office said the launch had been scheduled weeks ago.
