SAVE OUR CHILDREN NOW!

(image taken from https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/topics/topic-archive/improving-conditions-for-children-in-poverty/ )

Child poverty is a major challenge for children from low-income families and orphans, who often lack support from the government. Children are considered to be in poverty if they don't reach the minimum acceptable standard of living, which in New Zealand is defined as $600 per week for a household of two adults and two children, or $385 per week for a household of one parent and one child. Unfortunately, approximately 28% of all Kiwi children, or 305,000 children, are living in poverty and half of them are expected to remain in poverty for their entire lives.

The problem of child poverty in New Zealand has been exacerbated by several factors, including government neglect of housing and incomes, high rates of unemployment, low levels of education, and a lack of financial support for children living in poverty. These issues have been further magnified by the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the 1980s, child poverty has only continued to worsen, leading to a range of negative impacts such as increased health problems, higher hospitalization rates, reduced access to education, hunger, and the lack of basic necessities. It is an urgent issue that requires attention and action to help improve the lives and future prospects of Kiwi children.