Child Poverty
Child poverty exists in New Zealand.
In fact, when we are compared with other developed countries we have a high rate of child poverty.
2006/07 figures show that after taking housing costs into account:
- 230,000 children, or 22 percent of all children, were below the 60 percent of contemporary median income after housing costs threshold.
- 170,000 (16 percent) were below the stricter 50 percent of contemporary median income after housing costs threshold.
- The poverty experienced by New Zealand children means they do not have adequate nutrition, warm houses, or stimulating learning opportunities. Their families may be living on as little as $355 a week for one adult and one child (50 percent of the 2007 median income). Living on so little often leads to preventable diseases, such as gastroenteritis and ear infections. It can also mean children are more vulnerable to maltreatment because of a lack of resources and high stress levels in the home.
- In addition to the immediate impacts of poverty, child poverty leads to long-term consequences such as poor oral health, low educational attainment and crime. In the end, we all pay if we do not address this important social, economic and political issue.
We also speak out on:
- Child abuse and neglect
- Creating a positive ideology for children
- Children and youth in out-of-home care
- Child centered policy
Further links:
