The Children’s Commissioner says a new report released
today provides a detailed picture of the 170,000 children
living in poverty, and is a stark reminder that New Zealand
is failing to uphold the basic rights of too many
children.
Dr Claire Achmad says the latest data and
analysis, compiled in Child Poverty in New Zealand by Bryan
Perry for MSD, shines more light on a national shame and
should be a wake-up call for leaders across the country,
especially those in Parliament and seeking to enter it this
year.
“This report lays bare that New Zealand is
moving backwards on child poverty. Material hardship has
risen since 2022, meaning more children are going without
the essentials they need to learn, grow and thrive,” says
Dr Achmad.
“This is not simply about having less
than others. Material hardship means children are missing
out on things that all children should have. It is the
experience of being excluded from the minimum acceptable
standard of living, because families do not have enough
resources.
“The data is clear. More children are
being pushed into poverty and hardship, and that means the
Government is failing to meet its responsibility to protect
their most basic rights.”
The report also highlights
the disproportionate impact of poverty on disabled
households.
“Almost 60% of children experiencing
material hardship live in households with at least one
disabled person. Of children facing even more severe
material hardship, two-thirds come from these
households.
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“These figures reflect the significant
barriers and pressures many disabled people and their
families face. Any serious plan to reduce child poverty must
recognise and respond to those realities.”
Dr Achmad
says it is essential not to lose sight of what poverty means
in children’s everyday lives.
“Poverty feels like
hunger. It means living in a cold home, missing out on
school trips and sport, or ending up in hospital with
preventable illnesses linked to poor living conditions that
can impact them for a lifetime, or even cause
death.
“Poverty also means being shut out of
opportunities and experiences that help children learn,
develop and feel they belong. Instead of enjoying the
possibilities of childhood, too many children are focused on
simply getting through each day.”
New Zealanders
should be concerned not only about the hardship children are
experiencing today, but also about the lifelong
consequences.
“We know that growing up in poverty
can have lasting impacts on health, education, wellbeing and
future opportunities. These costs are carried not only by
children and families, but by all of us.”
The
Commissioner says urgent action is needed and points to her
open letter sent earlier this week to all party leaders,
calling for a renewed commitment to children and a
comprehensive plan to reduce poverty.
“Children
cannot wait for the economy to improve. Poverty is harming
childhoods right now. Every year we delay meaningful action
is another year that tens of thousands of children miss out
on opportunities many others take for
granted.
“Today’s report reinforces why every
party leader should commit to a Child Poverty Accord and a
sustained, cross-party plan to reduce poverty.
“I
encourage New Zealanders to think carefully about the
hardship that so many children in our communities are
experiencing, and to ask their local MP what their plan is
to address it. Every child has the right to an adequate
standard of living. That is a fundamental foundation of
childhood, and political leaders should be able to explain
what they are doing to make it a reality.
“We cannot
build a prosperous future while leaving 170,000 children
behind. Ending child poverty must become a national priority
and a shared commitment across Parliament.
“If
leaders across our Parliament take the time to read this
report, the conclusion is unavoidable: we cannot keep
failing children in this way. New Zealand will not move
forward while so many of our children are left
behind.”
