PRESS RELEASE

22 September 2016

MSD Finds Major Cause of Poverty

The recent release of household income data from the MSD, finding that the dominant cause of poverty can be linked to single parent families, is no surprise. As a country, we embarked on a social experiment with the DPB, that said “If we support single mothers better, we will get better outcomes”. This has not been the case.

Parenting is a difficult and challenging role, and is even more so as living costs increase.

It’s time we, as a nation took our heads out of the sand and acknowledged that the breakdown of the nuclear family has had massive financial and social costs. If we are really committed to eliminating child poverty, then throwing more funds at a failed programme is not the answer. We need to promote families, encourage commitment and faithfulness, and acknowledge that families with a committed mum and dad are the best places to grow children, and result in the best long-term outcomes.

"The Conservative Party of New Zealand is committed to a “hand up” mentality, not a “hand out” ideology. Hand-outs breed dependency, poverty and enslavement; hand-ups give hope, purpose and freedom," says Party Spokesman Leighton Baker.

Dealing with the root causes of poverty will have far greater benefits for our nation's children than increased welfare. Governments do not grow healthy families - committed mums and dads do.

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