One in five New Zealand children currently live in poverty.
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is an independent charity working to eliminate child poverty in New Zealand. CPAG works on behalf of the 270,000 Kiwi kids whose well-being is compromised by their meagre standard of living.
Over the past year the issue of child poverty has increasingly become a major issue of public concern, from Campbell Live's focus on food in schools to the Children's Commissioner's expert advisory group on solutions to child poverty. CPAG has been central to this shift in public conciousness, featuring in in dozens of newspaper articles, television programmes and radio items, speaking to groups of politicians and professionals, and hosting well attended public meetings to make sure that debates on child poverty take centre stage.
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 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.
For over a dozen years the Child Poverty Action Group has monitored government policy for its impact on children. Reflecting the unprecedented community interest, this year CPAG hosted sold-out Post-Budget Breakfast events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. This growing interest shows people are no longer willing to accept that child poverty and increasing inequality are inevitable. For the first time, CPAG has also produced a detailed review of Budget 2013.
In a country like New Zealand, with ample resources, child poverty could be eliminated completely. Its all about the choices we make.
As public and political interest continues to grow, CPAG is working hard to build the momentum, making sure that every child has security, food, shelter, education and healthcare.