Collaborative Action Plan On Child Poverty

Te Ora o Manukau - Manukau the Healthy City has released a draft plan to address the issue of child poverty in Manukau. Submissions are invited on the plan.

The plan aims to co-ordinate relevant background and statistical information from Council, Central Government agencies and community organisations and collate this information to form a baseline to measure child poverty among Manukau children.

Organisations who contributed to the draft plan include Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Counties Manukau Foodbank Association, Health Promoting Schools, Housing New Zealand, WINZ, Inland Revenue and Safer Manukau.

Bob Newman, Co-Chairperson of Te Ora o Manukau – Manukau the Healthy City says "The objective of this plan is to strive to eliminate the 'pockets of poverty' that exist in the City, working towards healthy and well-housed people who are economically secure, active and involved in their community."

Children now make up a quarter of the population of Manukau and it is estimated that by 2006 children and youth will make up over a third of the city. Figures from the 2001 Census confirm that Manukau is New Zealand third largest and fastest growing city.

Poverty is found in pockets within Manukau. The communities of Otara, Mangere and Manurewa with their high proportion of children are especially vulnerable. Problems affecting these children are:

inadequate housing with associated overcrowding under-employment hidden hunger lower educational achievement

Copies of the draft plan are available from libraries, by phoning 2625293 or on the Council's website: www.manukau.govt.nz . Submissions close on Thursday 17 October at 4.30 p.m, and forms may be obtained from Adelle Levi on 262 5293.

Te Ora o Manukau - Manukau the Healthy City works in partnership with Council to make Manukau a healthier place to live.

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