KEY POINTS:
Former All Black Norm Hewitt says parents must be prepared to stick together and say no to teenagers if they do not want them to go to parties.
Hewitt spoke to around 600 people who turned up to a public meeting in Christchurch last night following the death of 16-year-olds Hannah Rossiter and Jane Young who died when a car slammed into a dozens of party-goers in Edgeware Rd two weeks ago.
He said: "If the teenager or the young person turns around and says, 'Well, why do I have to have the bitch mother from hell, I hate you,' say: 'The other parents I've called are not letting their teenagers go.'"
Mr Hewitt said the other important issues raised in the meeting included the drinking age and how young people can acquire high-powered cars.
Social commentator Celia Lashlie told the meeting she hopes the country will consider raising the driving and drinking ages.
She said that while teens may not appear to agree with being told what they can and cannot do, they are yearning for boundaries.
"What I find is that kids are hungry for parents to care enough to say 'No, you're not going' or to hold them steady in the turbulence that is faced by youth today," Ms Lashlie said.
The mother of Hannah Rossiter, Sally, told the meeting that she does not want anyone to forget her daughter and Jane and she hopes good will to come out of the meeting.
Christchurch mayor Garry Moore said it is not only Christchurch that is in shock, but communities all around the country, because teen deaths in such incidents are happening too often.
- NEWSTALK ZB
