“We think sometimes that
poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and
uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must
start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty” Mother
Teresa of Calcutta
So where is New Zealand on the OECD report?
New
Zealand is one of five countries with the most marked increase in the income
gap between rich and poor between the mid-1980s and mid-2000s. OECD report
provides further compelling impetus for a stronger focus on social disadvantage
and what this might mean for children’s life chances (Cullen, 2008).
National is currently in government and their track record on child poverty is a disgrace. Under their watch, poverty has grown and their measures show inequality. National believe in minimizing government intervention and their policies are increasing hardship (Scoop, 2012). Click the following link to read a transcript about how Prime Minister John Key addresses child poverty in parliament.
ACT works in alliance with National and support their policies. For an in-depth read on ACT policy around child poverty click the link below.
Greens have the most comprehensive social policy for eliminating child poverty. Within a 6 year time frame they want to give every child the best possible start in life, ensuring parents can spend time with their children, allowing children to grow up in a safe, nurturing, and non-violent environment, improve childhood health, and provide quality education and so much more (Greens, n.d). To read the full ‘Children’s Policy’ report, click the following attachment.
So where is New Zealand on the OECD report?
According
to Gammage (as cited in Cullen, 2008) ten percent of the world’s children are
born into a rich OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)
country and will have the opportunity to study up to and beyond university
level, while the remaining 90 percent are born into poverty. Education for these under priviledge children will be sporadic, tenuous, serendipitous or non-existent.
New
Zealand is one of five countries with the most marked increase in the income
gap between rich and poor between the mid-1980s and mid-2000s. OECD report
provides further compelling impetus for a stronger focus on social disadvantage
and what this might mean for children’s life chances (Cullen, 2008).
New
Zealand is currently ranked 28th out of 30 in the OECD in the 'Every Child
Counts' report (Tumeke, 2011). Richardson
(2009) declares that New Zealand needs to take a stronger policy focus on child
poverty, especially during the early years when it is easier to make a
long-term difference. New Zealand’s government spending on children is
considerably less than the OECD average. The biggest shortfall is for spending
on young children, New Zealand spends $17,500 per child, which is less than
half the OECD average (Richardson, 2009; Tumeke, 2011).
Material
conditions for New Zealand children are relatively poor. Average family incomes
are low by OECD standards, and child poverty rates are high (Richardson, 2009). The stark reality is that poor outcomes for
children are costing New Zealand $NZ6 billion per year in areas such as health,
welfare services, crime and justice" (Tumeke, 2011).
The Government Perspective on Poverty
New
Zealand is a democratic country,
where freedom of speech, gender equality, voting and religious
belief is guaranteed in law (Whitireia New Zealand, 2012). However, depending on who is in government
will determine and influence the running of the country. Below are some
policies from the National, Labour, ACT and Green party addressing child
poverty.
National is currently in government and their track record on child poverty is a disgrace. Under their watch, poverty has grown and their measures show inequality. National believe in minimizing government intervention and their policies are increasing hardship (Scoop, 2012). Click the following link to read a transcript about how Prime Minister John Key addresses child poverty in parliament.
ACT works in alliance with National and support their policies. For an in-depth read on ACT policy around child poverty click the link below.
Labour has taken a $2.6 billion
pledge to "lift children out of poverty by extending Working for Families, Paid
Parental Leave,…reversing early childhood education cuts, free 24-hour
healthcare for children under six and free dental care for pregnant women" (Chapman
& Levy, 2011). This would lift
150,000 children out of poverty over a six year period. For a more in-depth read click the following
link.
Greens have the most comprehensive social policy for eliminating child poverty. Within a 6 year time frame they want to give every child the best possible start in life, ensuring parents can spend time with their children, allowing children to grow up in a safe, nurturing, and non-violent environment, improve childhood health, and provide quality education and so much more (Greens, n.d). To read the full ‘Children’s Policy’ report, click the following attachment.
Personally
I think we have the wrong government in parliament if we ever want to see any
improvements in lifting child poverty here in New Zealand. What do you think?
Thank you Charlotte, this was a very interesting read. It is quite distasteful to see that the National party who is in parliament are doing such poor work in regards to eradicating child poverty! In my personal opinion, i would rather see a party in parliament who aims higher and achieves more in relation to having child poverty in New Zealand, nothing more than a distant memory!
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