Kids unite against child poverty with Kidkind t-shirts

Kids unite against child poverty with Kidkind t-shirts.

Friday, 26 February 2016

Some of New Zealand’s best known artists have joined the fight against child poverty, contributing original designs for a range of kids’ tees to raise money and awareness.

The Kidkind t-shirt collection aims to turn fortunate Kiwi kids into modern day Robin Hoods, giving everyone – even our youngest members of society – the chance to make a difference.

"The idea is to give our most vulnerable kids a voice through our more advantaged kids. Because, child poverty affects all of them, creating a future where our kids will have to face even more inequality than we do today,” says Rachael Macklin, creative director of the project.

Talented New Zealand artists, including Beck Wheeler, Otis Frizzell, Kate Hursthouse, Knucklebones Design Co., and Guy Bellerby, have contributed designs for the tees, which are available online at kidkind.org.nz.

All proceeds go to Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) to help fund their work in research, education and advocacy.

Auckland-based Rachael, who works in advertising and is mum to 19-month-old Lucas, was spurred into action when the Children’s Commissioner released the latest report showing that nearly one third of Kiwi kids are now living below the poverty line, and highlighting the need for public awareness to drive action from government.

“This is a not only a national crisis, but an entirely avoidable one. We know what it would take to turn around the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Zealand children living in poverty, and we have the resources to make it happen. CPAG applauds the Kidkind initiative wholeheartedly and wishes it every success both in raising awareness and creating action to end child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand,” says CPAG Co-covenor, Janfrie Wakim.

Rachael explains, “When you put a Kidkind t-shirt on your little one, you're helping them speak up Kiwi kids who are going without the basics they need for a healthy, happy start in life.”

"If your child is old enough, you can help them understand what wearing a Kidkind t-shirt means – that in New Zealand we're kind to one another and we pitch in to help people when they need it."

She adds, "Kidkind is about finding more ways to keep the child poverty issue at the forefront of people’s minds, even if that means the message has to come from Kiwi kids themselves."

Kidkind t-shirts are $30.00 with all net proceeds ($8.75 for every t-shirt sold) going to Child Poverty Action Group. Available for kids aged 0-6 at kidkind.org.nz

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