Our hearts go out to the children and families of Samoa

Our hearts go out to the children and families of Samoa and the terrible suffering they are enduring from the effects of a natural disaster.

Last week I attended a hui in Auckland, convened by CPAG – the Child Poverty Action Group, and the on going suffering of many children in this country was brought home to me.

Over 260,000 children in New Zealand, a well resourced and highly civilised nation, live below the poverty line. One in six New Zealand children lives in poverty. Poverty is defined as being in a household where the income is less than 50% of the national median. Some measures use a 60% benchmark. But on either of these measures, what we have is an unacceptably high number (1 in 6) of children who suffer deprivation from having too little of the basic necessities for healthy and productive life opportunities.

The opening addresses at the hui contained messages of outrage – how is this situation allowed to continue and intensify; activism – it is time to take action to put it right; and hope – that through unity, determination and courage change can be achieved.

The hui confirmed for me that:

· in spite of numerous reports, solid evidence and frequent submissions to government(s) the issue of child poverty has not been adequately addressed;

· the situation for children in poverty in this country is more critical than ever and certain to become worse if it is permitted to continue without meaningful intervention;

· there are solutions, it is not natural and not an inevitable problem;

· child poverty is untenable, immoral and economically unviable in the long term. There are high costs to society of not taking it seriously and acting decisively;

· it is time the matter was brought to public attention and action taken to ensure every child in our rich country has the opportunity to thrive, reach his/her potential and know that they are valued.

Further information www.cpag.org.nz