Child Poverty Action Group NZ Inc.
P.O. Box 56-150, Auckland.
(09) 303-9260
www.cpag.org.nz
CHILD POVERTY IN NEW-ZEALAND IS REAL !!!
It has been 15 years since NZ has had a telethon, "Kidscan , Big Night In", held on August 8th and 9th was a huge success raising almost 3 million dollars for children living in poverty in New Zealand.
An international report has found that a sixth of New Zealand children are being raised in poverty - a higher rate than in all but three of the world's 26 rich nations.
We live in a democracy yet not all is equal, why do we have children living in severe poverty in NZ?, there are many reasons but mostly it is the government who is to blame.
The well heeled say "MONEY ISN`T EVERYTHING!" - I am 60yrs old and I will tell you "MONEY IS EVERYTHING!!" - having lost ALL because of ACC case mismanagement in the 1990s devastating the lives of me and my children.
Here`s some of the things you can do with money: Don`t Tell Me Money isn`t Everything!!! -------------------------------------- Below an Update July 2010 - What Work Counts? Report questions benefit of work-first policies A new report from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) warns that the governments single minded focus on parents work status sidelines the needs of children. Economics spokesperson Claire Dale says Working for Families, introduced in 2004, was supposed to increase employment among sole parent families. The results have been very underwhelming, and the policy is misguided. In the recession sole parents have been losing jobs at a very high rate, and the number of sole parents on a benefit is now back where it was before the 2004 reforms. Children in these families are vulnerable to sudden and severe falls in income. A big factor in obtaining and keeping work is the availability of jobs, but childrens needs remain the same whether jobs are there or not, she said. CPAG also warns that the changes proposed under the governments Future Focus legislation which insist on 15 hours paid employment will worsen child poverty if parents are unable to find jobs. The report shows parents face great difficulty trying to juggle raising their children, working, and dealing with the benefit system. Often it is not possible or sensible for sole parents to be in paid work and the government should respect the work they are already doing: Raising children requires support on all fronts, not just getting parents into work. New Zealands children have borne the brunt of changes in welfare, education, and the labour market in the last 20 years. If we leave their welfare to a minimal safety net we gamble with their futures.. Childrens needs must be at the centre of policy decisions, not a by product of an increasingly precarious and volatile labour market.
Purchase good healthy food
Live where you want in warm comfortable accommodation
Have good healthcare
Afford to go to Dentist
Good education for children
New warm Clothing
Reliable Transport
And most of all Self dignity