Child Poverty – “We can end child poverty”: Share My Super founder

February 20, 2025

Source: Share My Super

Reducing child poverty substantially needs only half the current public spend on roads, says philanthropist Liz Greive, as new StatsNZ data shows the burden of poverty on children has increased over the last two years.

StatsNZ data released today showed that around 156,000 children live in hardship, meaning their families don’t have all the essentials to meet basic needs – around 36,000 more children since 2022, and a higher proportion of children than two years ago.

Greive said it did not have to be this way. “New Zealanders care about each other – and we can change the terrible situation that is causing toxic stress for far too many mokopuna in our country.”

Last year, officials told the government that reaching current 2027/28 child poverty targets would require investment of $3 billion a year – which is only around half our public spend on roads. The proportion of children in poverty has now increased to more than double those 2027/28 targets.

“If we can find enough resources for our roads, we can find enough resources for our children,” said Greive. “As a society, right now we are choosing to keep child poverty high, and we can change that choice. Our country can support all our families – politicians need to know this is our priority.”

Greive said there was no need to make 156,000 children wait before they got all the basic essentials.

“I want to give hope: we can make a difference by letting decision makers know what our priorities are: happy childhoods and flourishing lives for all our country’s children.”

Greive said people in a position to do so could also consider donating to charity to immediately reduce the effects of poverty on children.

“Kids experiencing hardship can’t wait for leaders to make the right decisions, so we try to help as many as we can right now,” said Greive. “The more people join us, the more kids we can assist.”

Share My Super enables older people to easily support a range of partner charities focused on both systems change and immediate needs of children in hardship. Greive funds 100% of Share My Super’s operating costs so all donations go directly to their partner charities.

“Child poverty is shocking and unnecessary – each of us can work towards a better future for our kids. If we lift up our kids, we lift up our country” said Greive. “And together, we can end child poverty.”

– Share My Super (founded 2020 by Liz Greive) is a unique meta-charity; supporting carefully chosen partner charities who are all doing amazing work to alleviate the impacts of growing up in hardship.

– In 2023 Liz established a separate charitable foundation which will fund Share My Super in perpetuity

– Share My Super support their partner charities to ensure effectiveness of their programmes and robust governance.

– “Forgotten Moko” is Share My Super’s campaign launched this week, headed by Sir Ian Taylor. www.sharemysuper.org.nz

– Cost of roads is approx $20-$22 billion over three years see page 5 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.

MIL OSI

Child Poverty – Economic growth alone won’t help 156,600 Kiwi children who live in poverty – CPAG

LiveNews Publisher

February 20, 2025

Source: Child Poverty Action Group

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is urging the government to put child poverty back on the agenda after official data showed an increase of children living in hardship over the past two years.

It’s likely an extra 36,300 children are living in material hardship compared to 2022, according to official child poverty statistics from StatsNZ released today.

“Child poverty data was trending down from 2018 but in the past two years we have seen an increase in material hardship rates which is a concerning trend,” CPAG executive officer Sarita Divis said.

Stats NZ figures showed a likely 156,600 New Zealand children – 1 in 7 or 13.4 percent – are living in material hardship where their families cannot afford the basics.

Those numbers were significantly higher for Māori (23.9 percent), Pacific (28.7 percent) and disabled (21 percent) children.

“Colonisation and discrimination are at the root of these disproportionate rates for marginalised groups. The government needs to reverse the cuts made to community-led approaches.”

“We know the broad brush stroke of economic growth benefits those already doing well and doesn’t help raise incomes of those struggling,” Ms Divis said.

“We need to see a concerted effort with policies that we know will help. The government has ignored official advice on introducing measures to help improve child poverty rates and instead has focused on cruel actions that we know hurt children such as benefit sanctions.”

CPAG urged the government to address urgent matters like food insecurity.

“For a long time now, as a country, we have lived with low wages and inadequate welfare, an unfair tax system, high housing costs, and ongoing underinvestment in key services that help the lowest-income families,” Ms Divis said.

“And as our cost of living has increased substantially over recent times, along with increased unemployment, it is no wonder that parents, despite their best efforts, struggle to provide the basics for their children.”

The aim of the Child Poverty Reduction Act (2018) is to address a significant and sustained reduction in child poverty.

While in opposition National supported the implementation of the act. At the time current child poverty reduction Minister Louise Upston said then the targets were not ambitious enough.

The Prime Minister also talked about child poverty in his maiden speech to parliament in 2021 and we urge both to go back to their commitments.

MIL OSI

Child Poverty – Save the Children: Urgent investment needed in low-income families, particularly sole parent households – Save the Children

LiveNews Publisher

February 20, 2025

Source: Save the Children

Save the Children is calling on the Government to commit to investing in policies to lift more children and whānau out of poverty following the release of today’s latest child poverty statistics that show no progress on meeting targets over the past year, and particular groups of children more at risk.

Child Poverty Statistics for the year ending June 2024 released today by Stats NZ show the number of children experiencing hardship in their everyday lives has largely remained the same, with specific groups of children – including mokopuna Māori, Pasifika and disabled children and those living in sole parent households – particularly impacted by poverty.

The cost of housing continues to push many families into poverty, with one third of low- income families spending more than 40% of their income on housing, compared to an average of 20% for all households. Today’s figures do not include those children and families living in emergency housing, the hardest end of poverty.

“Child poverty is complex and needs political commitment and investment across all governments if we are to achieve real change and enable all children in Aotearoa to thrive,” says Save the Children New Zealand’s Advocacy and Research Director Jacqui Southey.

“If we are to meaningfully reduce child poverty levels, we must be committed to meaningfully lifting the incomes of low-income families, including lifting welfare levels, and tackle the availability and cost of housing for all New Zealanders whether renting or owning their own homes.

“We cannot be trapped into seeing this as a single term or single government issue. And most importantly, we must not give up.”

Ms Southey says the data across the reporting period from 2018 shows a lift in poverty levels since 2021, although the primary measures remain lower than, or at, the 2018 baseline.

“Although there is no statistically significant difference to report, the graphs show that over time we are no longer moving the dial in the right direction and this is extremely concerning.

“We cannot ignore that one in four of our children are living in material hardship and one in five are living below the poverty line after housing costs in Aotearoa. For each of these numbers, a real child is experiencing the everyday hardships of not having enough.

“For particular groups of children, this number is much higher. Pasifika children continue to experience poverty at a higher rate than other groups of children. It is essential that we understand the why of these statistics so we can make the necessary changes to ensure Pasifika children do not lead lives disadvantaged by poverty.”

Ms Southey says children living in sole parent households are also significantly impacted by child poverty. Nearly 80% of households living on the lowest incomes are sole parent households, on average living on a disposable income of less than $46,000.

“By any measure this is a shockingly low-income level for a family and is directly contributing to levels of child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand,” she says.

“It is not acceptable that our economic systems are set up to push sole parent families into poverty, this is a critical area for change.”

Save the Children is calling for targeted policies and investment to significantly improve support for sole parent families that would ease the economic burden they are living under.

About Save the Children NZ:

Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.

Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.

MIL OSI

Work-related health newsletter – February 2025

LiveNews Publisher

February 20, 2025

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

20 February 2025

Check out the latest guidance and resources, and a number of upcoming courses and conferences to help you ensure a healthy and safe work environment for you and your workers.

In this edition:

Updated leptospirosis guidance
New restricted entry intervals and guidance
Mentally healthy work infographics
Psychosocial survey of the retail sector
Workplace exposure standards
Engineered stone and respirable crystalline silica consultation
New ACC recovery at work resources
New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025
MATES in Construction NZ awarded funding
New Zealand Journal of Health and Safety Practice
Courses and resources
Upcoming conferences

Read the full newsletter(external link)

MIL OSI

Action needed now, as child poverty grows

LiveNews Publisher

February 20, 2025

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Data released today by Statistics New Zealand showed the urgent problem facing Aotearoa New Zealand in tackling child poverty, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

“Child poverty is estimated by Stats NZ on three measures – before housing costs, after housing costs, and material poverty. All three central estimates of poverty rose last year. This is the second year in a row in which the trend is heading in the wrong direction. We need action now to turn this trend around,” said Renney.

“1 in 7 children are estimated to be living in households where they experience material poverty – that means 156,000 kids are missing out on essentials and living in cold and damp housing. That is the highest number since 2015.

“Child poverty is a prison that holds too many children in Aotearoa back. Unless we tackle this problem now, we will be paying the social costs over generations.

“Child poverty is not distributed equally. 1 in 4 tamariki Māori live in material poverty. 1 in 3 Pacific children live in material poverty. Where a household has a disabled person, 1 in 4 children in those households are in material poverty. For all these groups the number of children in material poverty has grown over the past two years.

“The Government is now missing all three of its child poverty targets. The Government’s key response to child poverty has been to water down the targets, reduce the value of welfare support, and cut the real value of the minimum wage.

“There is no plan to help these families living in poverty, instead they are being threatened with further sanctions and penalties.

“The Government is urgently talking up the need for an economic plan, but it doesn’t seem as if it shares the same sense of urgency for child poverty. Children deserve better than this Government’s indifference,” said Renney.

MIL OSI

Most common registered family names in 2024

LiveNews Publisher

February 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is pleased to announce the most common family names given to newborns in 2024.
“For the seventh consecutive year, Singh is the most common registered family name, with over 680 babies given this name. Kaur follows closely in second place with 630 babies, while Smith rounds out the top three with 300 babies sharing the family name,” says Ms van Velden.
“A decade ago, in 2014, Smith was the most common registered family name, followed closely behind by Wilson and Brown.
“New Zealand is a diverse country – and it’s great to see that reflected in our family name data for 2024.
“Family names are a real gift for all children, as they reflect the rich history of each family they originate from.
“In the North Island, Singh, Kaur and Patel were the most common registered family names. In the South Island Kaur, Singh and Smith took the top spots.”
The family name Singh has a long history, originating from the Sanskrit word for ‘lion.’ It is traditionally used by Sikh men and has become a common family name among the global Indian diaspora.
As New Zealand’s diversity continues to grow, it’s important all New Zealand parents—both in the country and those living overseas— ensure their children are registered in New Zealand.
“It’s important to remember that Kiwi babies born overseas must be registered as citizens by descent to ensure they have full access to citizenship rights, including the ability to obtain a passport,” says Ms van Velden.
Every year the Registrar-General shares the most popular baby names by gathering information from SmartStart. The site is a quick and free way to register your child. It also has guidance for families about their children’s first years, including information about what services and assistance may be available to families. Smartstart can be accessed here: https://smartstart.services.govt.nz/

MIL OSI

New Police campaign welcomed

LiveNews Publisher

February 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

The new Police marketing campaign starting today, recreating the ‘He Ain’t Heavy’ ad from the 1990s, has been welcomed by Associate Police Minister Casey Costello.

“This isn’t just a great way to get the attention of more potential recruits, it’s a reminder to everyone about what policing is and the quality of NZ Police,” Ms Costello says.

“As a serving officer when the original ad came out, I remember the impact it had and how proud I felt and I wasn’t surprised to hear that there was such a positive reaction from Police to the proposal to update it.

“No actors were used. More than 100 Police, their families and colleagues from other emergency services were involved and opened up their homes for filming.

“Our Police is world class and it’s important that the public understands all the work they do to prevent crime and serve their communities.”

The Minister said that the new campaign also provided potential recruits with a picture of what it meant to join the Police.

“Police are doing a huge amount of work to drive recruitment, improving the application and training process and since the Government lifted funding in the Budget there has been an unprecedented number of applications.
“To get 500 extra frontline Police and improve the safety of our communities we need to keep that pipeline going, and I’m sure this new campaign will help keep the number of high-quality applicants flowing.”

MIL OSI

Child Poverty statistics show challenges remain

LiveNews Publisher

February 20, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

No significant change to child poverty rates under successive governments reinforces that lifting children out of material hardship will be an ongoing challenge, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says.
Figures released by Stats NZ today show no change in child poverty rates for the year ended June 2024, reflecting the impact of a prolonged cost of living crisis.
Stats NZ data for the three primary measures show that in 2023/24:

13.4 per cent of all children (156,600) were in material hardship – with no statistically significant change compared to 2022/23
17.7 per cent of children (208,000) were in poverty, based on household income after housing costs have been paid – with no statistically significant change compared to 2022/23
12.7 per cent of children (149,900) were in poverty, based on household income before housing costs have been paid – with no statistically significant change compared to 2022/23.

“It’s encouraging that there has been no significant increase year-on-year, however if we look at what has happened over the previous two years we can see that rates are trending upwards,” Louise Upston says.
“Todays’ figures do reflect the challenges of a prolonged cost of living crisis which began under the previous administration and which we are tackling head-on.
“We know there are some Kiwi families and their kids still doing it tough. Our Government is working to fix that.
“We are committed to changing the circumstances which trap people in poverty, and to addressing the long-term drivers of child poverty.
“Our Government has lifted the incomes of working households experiencing hardship by providing tax relief, reducing inflation and making childcare more affordable by introducing the FamilyBoost childcare tax rebate.
“We’re also providing lunches to around 242,000 learners every day so Kiwi kids have access to food.
“Reducing material hardship is a priority in our Child and Youth Strategy which is why we have a target to lift 17,000 more children out of material hardship by 2027, compared to 2023.
“We recognise that child poverty is a long term issue and our strategy of tackling the deeper causes of poverty, including reducing long-term benefit dependency and lifting education and skills, will make a big difference in driving down child poverty rates.
“It’s encouraging that inflation has continued a downward trend and pressure on families is starting to ease but there is still more to do,” Louise Upston says.

MIL OSI

NZ Tourism and Law – Startling New Zealand travel warning after launch of new tourism campaign

LiveNews Publisher

February 20, 2025

Source: Carter Capner Law

As New Zealand launches a major tourism campaign targeted at Aussies with the slogan “Everyone must go”, a leading Australian travel compensation lawyer has warned travellers to “go at your own risk”.

Director of Carter Capner Law and former national president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance Peter Carter has revealed that unlike Australia and most other developed nations, travellers to New Zealand cannot access compensation for injury or death due to the fault of someone else.

Victims cannot hold wrongdoers accountable for injuries they encounter anywhere in New Zealand as a result of recklessness or negligence, and court claims for damages against people responsible for injuries or their insurers are prohibited.

Mr Carter said the country has been a “legal liability free zone” since the protections were removed in the 1970s.

“As Australians we naturally assume that because at-fault motorists, workplaces and business enterprises carry insurance and can be pursued for losses resulting from major injuries – it would be the same across the ditch.

“But in New Zealand, careless drivers and businesses are immune from liability for the injuries they cause other people.

“This applies to everyone and includes road accidents, recreational injuries, domestic aircraft accidents and all other situations,” he explained.

“You have no right to compensation and no avenue to take legal action, even if you are flattened on a pedestrian crossing by a 10 tonne truck.”

He said one woman from Queensland who suffered serious spinal injuries when a speeding car crossed on to the wrong side of the road collided with her head-on, “fought the New Zealand legal system for eight years and lost.”

“Australia’s health system will cover you for some medical expenses on your return but you are on your own if you can’t return to full time work.”

Mr Carter urged all travellers to New Zealand to have travel insurance but said “this stops when you set foot on the tarmac” in Australia. The only way to protect against loss of earning capacity from a NZ road accident is to take out income protection insurance before you travel.

He said the absence of accountability in New Zealand means there is no economic incentive – like potential insurance premium hikes or lawsuits – to prevent accidents.

“There is no safety culture and this means road and other accident rates are much higher than Australia, so Australians must visit New Zealand with that knowledge,” he said.

About Peter Carter:

Peter Carter is one of the most experienced lawyers in the Australasian region in the fields of aviation, tourism and travel compensation. He is a former national president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, and was previously a director of the Civil Justice Foundation of Australia. Peter has also held the roles of Queensland president of the Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand, and governor on the board of the American Association for Justice.

MIL OSI

Animal Rights – SAFE renews call for rodeo ban following four deaths – SAFE

LiveNews Publisher

February 20, 2025

Source: SAFE For Animals

SAFE renews call for rodeo ban following four deaths

SAFE is once again urging the Government to ban rodeo following the deaths of four animals so far this summer – deaths that could have been prevented had the Government acted on long overdue animal welfare reforms.

SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall says animals used in rodeo events endure extreme physical and psychological trauma, and these recent deaths further illustrate the inherent cruelty of rodeo.

“Over the past two months, we’ve seen animals die from lameness, dislocated limbs, and other severe injuries – all in the name of entertainment,” says Hall.

“The pain and torment these animals endure is absolutely appalling.”

Despite drafting a revised rodeo code of welfare two years ago, the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) and the Government have failed to progress it. SAFE believes that, as a result, New Zealand’s animal welfare laws remain disconnected from the brutal reality of rodeo practices.

“The Animal Welfare Act states that the physical handling of animals must minimise the likelihood of unnecessary pain and distress, yet rodeo practices depend on force and rough handling,” says Hall.

SAFE says releasing the revised code of welfare is urgently needed to allow New Zealanders to have their say on rodeo events, aligning it with both the Animal Welfare Act and public expectations.

“The release of this revised code will allow Kiwis to voice their opinion on the future of cruel rodeo events” says Hall. “Public consultation is the vital next step.”

Yesterday, SAFE took further action by placing an ad in The Post and billboards in Wellington calling for immediate Government intervention on rodeo.

“The abuse of animals in rodeo must end, and NAWAC and Minister Hoggard need to take immediate action to progress the revised code of welfare,” says Hall.

“It is high time Kiwis had their say on the future of rodeo.”

SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.

We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.

Notes for the editor:

Information on the four deaths; The first fatality was of a horse rendered lame following the Taupō rodeo on 29 December who was killed the following day. The second death on December 30 occurred at the Te Anau rodeo, where a three-year-old bull’s hind leg was dislocated during the bull riding event. He was killed on-site. A steer then died prior to the Oruru Valley event on 3 January after being transported from the Warkworth and Far North events. The fourth fatality occurred at the Mad Bull rodeo in Otago on 2 February where a bull died after being ridden the previous day.

SAFE’s February 20th Post Ad is attached.

Visit SAFE’s website to learn more about our campaign and view our submission form calling on NAWAC and the Animal Welfare Minister to release the draft rodeo code for public consultation. ( https://safe.org.nz/take-action/rodeo-cruelty/ )
Whilst vets are required to be on-site at all rodeo events, rodeo clubs are not obliged to report injuries or deaths sustained during events.

In July 2022, SAFE and the New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) jointly contested rodeo in the High Court. The court ruled that the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) must determine appropriate animal welfare guidelines. However, neither NAWAC nor Andrew Hoggard have provided a justification for the significant delay on the revised rodeo code of welfare.

MIL OSI

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