Source: Child Poverty Action Group
Persistent child poverty rates in Aotearoa New Zealand signal a failure to recognise the legal rights of the child consistent with the Articles of the UN Convention, according to a report by Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).
CPAG is concerned groups of children have been ‘left behind’ in recent attempts to reduce poverty, and more needs to be done.
Also, there is no comprehensive ‘code of compliance’ to ensure new legislation is consistent with the provisions and principles of the UN Convention.
“We acknowledge steps taken in recent years to reduce child poverty, but there remain significant inequities in child poverty rates for Māori, Pasifika, children with a disability and children of sole parents,” report author Dr Dana Wensley said.
Consideration should be given to strengthening domestic law and policy to incorporate the UN Convention, particularly in relation to ‘best interests of the child’, the Social Security Act, and the Working for Families Package, she added.
“We recommend a new approach that transcends local and central government, and enables the voices of those with lived experience of poverty to be part of the discussion and planning for the future.”
In early 2023 the UN Committee reconsidered New Zealand’s commitment to the UN Convention, and reassessed whether the government was meeting its obligations to children.
The UN Committee specifically welcomed the Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018, the four Wellbeing Budgets, the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy 2019 and the Families Package (2018).
It was, however, still concerned about rates of child poverty and housing deprivation.
The UN Committee picked up on a new concern raised by CPAG in its reporting – that of food insecurity and hunger experienced by children in New Zealand.
The UN said: ” The Committee is however seriously concerned that a significant proportion of children live in poverty and experience food insecurity and severe housing deprivation, including homelessness, insecurity of tenure, and overcrowding, resulting in poorer health and education outcomes, disproportionately affecting Māori and Pasifika children.”
CPAG urges government to improve the quality of data used to measure child poverty rates. At the moment children living in emergency housing are not surveyed.
It has been 30 years since New Zealand ratified the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child and CPAG is pleased to see that last year the country adopted the “Optional Protocol on Communication Procedure”.
“This was a long time coming and signals a significant step forward in the ability for children, or their representatives, to seek redress for any breaches of the Articles of the UN Convention,” Dana said.
Please see the attached full report for CPAG’s eight recommendations to ensure Aotearoa New Zealand meets its obligations under the UN Convention.
