Child Poverty Reduction

services and systems

Luxon's Government nearly halves food bank funding as demand hits record high

The Green Party says this Government has nearly halved funding for food banks in Budget 2026, extending the $15 million in annual support for just one more year before cutting it to $8 million a year from 2027, at the very moment demand has never been higher.“Food banks are the last lifeline for the people doing it the toughest, and this Government has chosen to nearly halve their funding,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.  “Demand has never been higher. The NZ Food...

Posted at June 04, 2026 11:32 AM by Marama Davidson

people and communities

Government miss child poverty targets

The Green Party says this year's Budget show the Government is failing to meet child poverty targets.“This budget does nothing to lift the 100,000’s of children now living in poverty, even as the Government's own child poverty report confirms it is not on track to meet the targets it is legally bound to hit.”  Budget documents show the Government missing both 2027 and 2026 targets for children living in poverty adjusted for housing costs, with this number still at almost 20%.  "Behind every one of these numbers is a tamaiti going without a warm...

Posted at May 28, 2026 2:22 PM by Marama Davidson

people and communities

Child poverty stats highlight Government's failing record

The Green Party is calling out this Government's record on child poverty following the release of the latest child poverty statistics.  "It's clear this Government has done nothing to reduce child poverty, choosing landlords and the wealthy over our tamariki," says Green Party Co-leader and Child Poverty spokesperson, Marama Davidson.   “Today’s figures show 1 in 7 children are living in material hardship. That means their households are struggling to afford their basics needs: food, clothing, heating and transport.   “For Māori and pacific children, the...

Posted at February 26, 2026 2:25 PM by Marama Davidson

people and communities

Static child poverty stats highlight need for urgent action

This morning’s Stats NZ child poverty statistics should act as a wake-up call for the government: with no movement in child poverty rates since June 2023, it’s time to make the wellbeing of our tamariki a political priority.“Poverty is a political choice we do not have to accept. We can choose to end it–our mokopuna deserve nothing less,” says Green Party co-leader and Child Poverty spokesperson, Hon Marama Davidson. “Every child in Aotearoa deserves a warm, dry home and a...

Posted at February 20, 2025 12:13 PM by Marama Davidson

people and communities

Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty

The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. “The Government has set itself a standard that would make it ok for more children to be thrown into poverty,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Child Poverty Reduction, Ricardo Menéndez March. “Every child deserves to get the possible start in life. We can and we must eliminate child poverty....

Posted at December 13, 2024 4:14 PM by Ricardo Menéndez March

people and communities

Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’

The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. “Poverty is a political choice, one that this Government is choosing for our children,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Child Poverty Reduction, Ricardo Menéndez March.  “Every child deserves to get the possible start in life. We can and we must eliminate child poverty. The good news is...

Posted at November 21, 2024 9:55 AM by Ricardo Menéndez March

people and communities

Greens call on Govt to wake up on child poverty

The Green Party says the latest statistics on child poverty in this country highlight the callous approach that the Government is taking on this issue of national shame.“Not only is it clear that the Government isn’t focussed enough on stopping child poverty, but also that its policies are making the problem worse by entrenching low-income households in the poverty cycle,” says the Green Party’s Spokesperson for Poverty Reduction, Ricardo Menéndez March. “We can eliminate child poverty - we have enough...

Posted at August 28, 2024 3:42 PM by Ricardo Menéndez March

people and communities

Legacy politics has failed whānau, it’s time to act

Today’s Salvation Army’s State of the Nation Report shows clearly why politics matters. Only the Green Party has a plan to end poverty. We have what we need to ensure all whānau and tamariki have what they need to live a good life.“Political parties should always be judged on the difference they make to people’s lives. Today’s Salvation Army report is an indictment of successive governments. Politics to the bigger parties seems to be more about taking turns at running...

Posted at February 15, 2024 2:12 PM by Marama Davidson

people and communities

Green Party will end child poverty

The Green Party will double the Best Start payment and make it available for every child under three years of age - and it will be paid for with a fair tax system.“Parents all over the country are being forced to cut back on food to pay the bills. Our plan to double the Best Start payment will help make sure parents and caregivers have everything they need to give their children the best possible start in life,” says Greens...

Posted at September 26, 2023 1:00 PM by Marama Davidson