Charities call for sustained action as 170,000 children go without essentials

Two charities say close to 170,000 tamariki, or children, in New Zealand are regularly going without essentials and are calling for sustained political action on incomes and housing.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) made the call in a joint report on child poverty, according to RNZ. The charities described the figure as "simply unacceptable."

CPAG communications manager Isaac Gunson said close to 170,000 tamariki are going without essentials on a regular basis.

The report put the material hardship rate at 14 percent in 2024/25, up from 11 percent in 2021/22. That 14 percent rate was one percentage point above the level in 2017/18, when the Child Poverty Reduction Act was passed.

It also said the number of children living in households receiving a main welfare payment has risen by 17 percent since 2020.

CPAG released a manifesto in August calling for an increase to the minimum wage, more housing and better access to education and healthcare to reduce child poverty. NZCCSS set out policy recommendations for a Poverty Reduction Act, changes to the welfare system, action on rising food costs, and better access to housing and jobs.

Louise Upston holds the Child Poverty Reduction portfolio.