A fair go for all children is essential

The report released earlier this month by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and Barnardos NZ makes it clear that the enormous social and economic impacts of child poverty in NZ are unsustainable.

The report also identifies a range of initiatives and policies that would go some way towards addressing this issue.

“A Fair Go for all Children: Actions to address child poverty in New Zealand highlights a profound concern for our society – that we cannot afford to sacrifice the healthy development of our children and therefore our productive human capital,” said Barnardos NZ chief executive, Murray Edridge.

“Poverty leads to developmental delay, lower educational attainment and ill health. It also puts children at higher risk of physical abuse and neglect, and even death.

“Along with the report, which was written by economists, youth have contributed to the work through a Photovoice project, providing images, poems, stories, and statements. According to young people in Dunedin, ‘Poverty is not getting proper opportunities, choices you can’t make, choices taken away’.

“This is precisely the impact of poverty: social and economic exclusion. It means missing out on many things considered to be basic to a good childhood, such as good nutrition, a warm home, stimulating experiences, family holidays, participation in sport and other pursuits, and school outings,” added Mr Edridge.

“In the longer term, child poverty is associated with worse employment and earnings outcomes, alcohol and drug dependence, and poor health. Further, it leads to higher welfare, remedial adult education and other community costs.

“When we look at the scale of the problem, and the potential solutions, it becomes apparent that this issue is surmountable as long as there is adequate political and public will.

“Progress is already being made through Working for Families. With an integrated package of both short and medium-term actions we can assist those hardest hit by poverty.

“Among the most urgent actions identified in the report are: raising core benefit rates; providing higher tax credits for young children; increasing the supply of early childhood care and education and out-of-school care; and passing on Child Support payments directly to sole parents.

“Barnardos and many other social service agencies see the impact of poverty on families daily. We know the pressures it places on families and on children, and we urge all NZers to accept that this is a significant issue. It is the responsibility of all of us, and requires both political and community action.

“We want all MPs and political candidates to take a stand against child poverty and commit to the implementation of the key recommendations of this report.

"We want all NZers to understand that child poverty is unsustainable and that we must work together to ensure the resources are available and directed to address the issue.

“There is an obvious self-interest argument for all NZers to support policies that will address child poverty. In the future, we will depend on the ability and will of today’s children to sustain our society and economy as the population ages. If we continue to allow a significant proportion of our children to live in poverty, we will create irreparable damage to them and to the future wellness of all of us,” concluded Mr Edridge.

NZEI national president Frances Nelson says this report rightly identifies poverty as a major barrier to a child’s ability to fully participate and get the most of their education. It states that poverty leads to developmental delay and lower educational attainment.

“Learning outcomes and poverty go hand in hand and as a society we need to address the social factors to ensure that children are well fed, well housed and well-clothed so they can get the most out of their learning. This report points to a wider social and government commitment to improving the lot of all NZ families and communities,” Ms Nelson says.

NZEI is pleased to see the report emphasise the importance of good quality, free or low cost ECE as vital to a child’s development. It recommends better access to ECE particularly for Maori and Pasifika children and in low income communities. It wants to see the age range and number of hours of free ECE and education extended.