Too hard to establish a measure of child poverty John? Not according to the United Nations

A United Nations report has today directly challenged New Zealand to take action to address child poverty, including establishing a national definition of poverty, according to Metiria Turei, co-leader of the Green Party.

“The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has today said it is seriously concerned about child poverty in New Zealand. It has called for us to establish a definition of poverty so progress to reducing it can be measured.”

“But John Key still refuses to measure child poverty – and that appears to be because he doesn’t want to be judged on his failures.

“None of us want to live in a country where child poverty is considered normal. But John Key continues to say it’s too hard to measure – and that’s simply a failure of leadership,” said Metiria Turei.

Meaures the UN Committee has urged New Zealand to adopt include:

• Introducing a systemic approach to addressing child poverty, in particular Maori and Pasifika children, including establishing a national definition of poverty

• Substantially increasing funding to directly and comprehensively tackle child poverty

• Called for coordinated systems in Government to invest in children, track that investment and ensure appropriate measurements of children’s wellbeing.

• Strengthening social protection mechanisms and intensifying efforts to provide safe and adequate housing to all children

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