More evidence shows need for plan to end child poverty

A major report by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) provides further evidence to support the Green Party's plan to bring 100,000 children out of poverty by 2014, the Green Party said today.

"This comprehensive report makes a compelling case for investing to end child poverty," Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said.

Mrs Turei was commenting on the release of Left Further Behind, CPAG's update of its 2008 report Left Behind, documenting the state of child poverty in New Zealand.

"This report paints an extremely concerning picture. Child outcomes have been getting worse in the last three years," Mrs Turei said.

"The situation is so bad that we are now looking to charitable models such as 'sponsor a child' schemes here in New Zealand.

"These charitable responses are a welcome relief to many families, but they are not a solution.

"Every child deserves the best possible support, regardless of the status and position of their parents or carers. If we guarantee this, we guarantee our children a great start in life. That's how we will end child poverty," Mrs Turei said.

Mrs Turei said the Green Party had a plan to bring 100,000 children out of poverty by 2014.

"This report talks about how important it is to set a goal to end child poverty, and targets along the way to achieving that goal.

"That is what the Green Party has done with our plan to bring 100,000 children out of poverty by 2014.

"We have four solutions: make Working for Families work for every low income family, provide better study support for sole parents and beneficiaries, raise the minimum wage to help working parents, and make sure rental properties are warm and healthy for kids.

"I am gratified to see that these solutions are echoed in the recommendations of this report.

"We know that child poverty is a major problem in New Zealand that hurts not just our children, but our whole country. Another recent report put the annual cost of child poverty at around $6 billion per year.

"I'm proud to co-lead a party with a comprehensive, costed solution to child poverty that is backed up by expert evidence," Mrs Turei said.