One in five New Zealand children currently live in poverty due to the policies of successive governments over the past 25 years.
Child Poverty Action Group(CPAG) is an independent charity working to eliminate child poverty in New Zealand. CPAG works on behalf of tens of thousands of New Zealand children whose well-being is compromised by their meagre standard of living.
In the lead up to the general election last year, CPAG featured in dozens of newspaper articles, television programmes and radio items, as well as hosting a well attended election forum, making sure that debates on child poverty were centre stage. Hopefully this momentum will continue throughout 2012.
Members of CPAG include leading academics, paediatricians, health workers, teachers, community workers and many other people concerned about the poorest children in New Zealand society. CPAG:
- undertakes independent, up to-date research on the underlying causes of poverty and its effects
- argues for better social policy for all New Zealand children
- supports other organisations working to improve the situation of children and young people in New Zealand by providing clear, independent, reliable information.
To highlight the impact government budgets have on child poverty, CPAG holds post-budget breakfasts. At these events, the budget is analysed from the perspective of our most vulnerable children and families. CPAG has held a post-budget breakfast in Auckland for 11 years; two years ago they also started running one in Wellington, and this year there was also a lunch in Whangarei and a meeting in Hamilton. Over 240 people attended the Auckland and Wellington events alone!