Expert Advisory Group: Child poverty can be reduced

The Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty has released a new report, 'Solutions to Child Poverty in New Zealand: Evidence for Action'.

The report states, "There is no question that child poverty can be reduced. There is extensive international evidence on what can be done, which policies are most effective, and what strategies deliver the greatest returns. But overseas experience also highlights that a significant and durable reduction in child poverty takes time and money. It thus requires political vision, courage and determination. Above all, it means giving children a high priority and making effective use of the best available evidence."

The report includes 78 recommendations, including initial priorities for immediate attention at relatively low-cost and initial priorities for longer term change. They address topics including including strategy and accountability; tax credits, benefits and income support; child support; employment, skills and training; housing; Māori and Pasifika children; problem debt; health and disability; education; local communities and family; justice system; and research and evaluation.

As many as 25% of children in New Zealand – about 270,000 – currently live in poverty.

The report follows Expert Advisory Group's 'Issues and Options Paper: Solutions to Child Poverty in New Zealand, for public consultation' which was released in August.

Download the report here (PDF 3.84 MB).

Media:

'Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty', Radio NZ Nine to Noon interview with Jonathan Boston (co-chair of the Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty and Professor of Public Policy at Victoria University's School of Government), 11/12/12

'Calls for 14,000 more state houses to address child poverty', Radio NZ Morning Report, 11/12/12