Source: NZHerald, Thurs 7 August, 2008
“The Government is being urged to do more to alleviate child poverty in New Zealand in the wake of a major report issued today.

Commissioned by Children’s Commissioner Cindy Kiro and Barnardos, the report shows that about 230,000 children, or 22 per cent, of New Zealand children are living in unacceptable poverty. “There are too many poor children in New Zealand and ignoring them threatens our future economic prosperity and social well being,” Dr Kiro said. Barnardos New Zealand chief executive Murray Edridge said the report made it clear that the country could not afford to sacrifice the healthy “development of our children and therefore our productive human capital”.

The Families Commission said families, communities, the business sector and government needed to work together to address poverty. Chief commissioner Rajen Prasad welcomed the report, A Fair Go For Children – Actions to Address Child Poverty in New Zealand, and said it added to the growing understanding of poverty issues within New Zealand. The Paediatric Society of New Zealand urged the Government to take seriously the policies proposed in the report, so that every child in New Zealand was able to grow up to reach their full potential.“

Further link: http://www.cpag.org.nz/campaigns/How_can_I_help.html