We have collated a selection of websites for those wanting to know more about the causes, impacts and solutions to child poverty.
While links are not CPAG endorsements, these non-affiliated websites may contain useful information about current child poverty indicators, causes, impacts and solutions.
New Zealand Government Websites and Data Sources
Child Poverty Statistics: Year ended June 2022 (Stats NZ)
Every year, as mandated by the Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018, Stats NZ release data on the number of children living in households on low incomes and living in material hardship. This page presents the most recent data, for the year ended June 2022.
Child Wellbeing and Poverty Reduction Group
This page discusses the Child Wellbeing and Poverty Reduction group, established in 2018 by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in her role as Minister for Child Poverty Reduction. This group sits within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, providing advice on meeting child poverty reduction targets, as well as leading the development and implementation of the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy.
Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy
The Child Youth and Wellbeing Strategy - launched in August 2019 – was developed in consultation with over 6,000 children and young people. It outlines the vision that New Zealand be the ‘best place in the world’ to grow up, detailing the key outcome areas needed to achieve this.
Mana Mokopuna
Mana Mokopuna, formerly the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, is an independent crown entity that is responsible for promoting the rights, health, welfare and wellbeing of all New Zealanders under the age of 18. They also promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC), of which New Zealand is a signatory. Changes to the powers of the office came into effect in June 2023, which are explained here.
Benefit Fact Sheets (Ministry of Social Development)
This page, hosted by the Ministry of Social Development, provides quarterly data on benefits and beneficiaries, including how many dependent children live in benefit-receiving households.
Current and Past Benefit Rates (Ministry of Social Development)
This Ministry of Social Development site provides an archive of benefit rates.
Auditor General
In late 2023 the office announced it was holding an audit into government efforts to tackle child poverty. The work will be completed in the second half of 2024 and will conclude with a report to Parliament.
Child Poverty Monitor
The Child Poverty Monitor is developed by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner in collaboration with the JR McKenzie Trust and the University of Otago NZ Child and Youth Epidemiology Service. It reports on various child poverty indicators, including income and material hardship, health, housing, and food insecurity.
Kaupapa Māori Research Resources
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga: New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga undertakes research focusing on the needs and opportunities arising in Māori communities. Their website contains a database of research publications, some of which explore issues relating specifically to tamariki Māori.
Whakauae
Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development was established in 2005 and produces Kaupapa Māori research focusing on public health, health services and health policy research. Their website contains a database of research publications, some of which discuss issues relating specifically to tamariki Māori (note an email address is required for registration).
Other Organisations and Coalitions Supporting Children
Children’s Rights Alliance
Formerly Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa, the Children’s Rights Alliance is a coalition of individuals and non-governmental organisations committed to realising children’s rights in Aotearoa. The Alliance promotes children’s rights and participation, and also reports on progress on children’s rights, leading civil society reporting on the implementation of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNROC) in Aotearoa.
New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services
The NZCCSS represents six church networks which provide social services including housing, budgeting, addictions and employment services. The NZCCSS produces research and policy analysis on children and families and the impacts of poverty and exclusion.
UNICEF NZ
UNICEF operate across 190 countries, including Aotearoa New Zealand, working to defend the rights of children and young people.
Equality Network
The Equality Network is a non-partisan organisation of groups committed to reducing poverty and inequality. Members share information, coordinate actions and support each other’s work to progress the common goal of pursuing a more equal society.
Tick 4 Kids
Tick 4 Kids is a coalition of organisations dedicated to engage politicians to commit to policy that promotes the wellbeing of children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Five to Thrive
Five to Thrive is a coalition that was established in the lead up to the 2020 election to pressure parties to commit to five basic asks for children. These included issues relating to Whānau Māori, children’s early years, family poverty, housing, and mental health.
Salvation Army Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit
The Salvation Army’s Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit conducts social research and policy analysis to work towards the eradication of poverty.
Living Wage Movement
The Living Wage Movement calls for all workers to be paid a living wage, an income sufficient for workers and their families to access the basic necessities of life, and live with dignity. It emerged in 2012 in response to growing poverty and inequality in Aotearoa.
Related Organisations Overseas
Child Poverty Action Group (UK)
Child Poverty Action Group was established in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, and today continues to campaign for policies that prevent and solve family poverty.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (UK)
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation works to solve poverty in the United Kingdom. They seek to develop long-term solutions to the root causes of poverty.
Brotherhood of St Laurence (Australia)
The Brotherhood of St Laurence is a social justice organisation seeking to address the causes of poverty in Australia. They both deliver programmes and services and undertake research to deliver practical and evidence-based solutions.
Children's Defense Fund (USA)
The Children’s Defense Fund seeks to ensure that all children in the USA have what they need to thrive. They do this though direct advocacy to Congress and the federal government for policies that improve children’s lives, as well as working at the state-level in those states where children in poverty are overrepresented.
Child Friendly Cities (UNICEF International)
The Child Friendly Cities Initiative is a UNICEF-led international initiative that supports governments in realising the rights of children at a local level, using the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNROC) as its foundation. It is also a network of governments and other stakeholders who seek to make their communities more child-friendly.