New Zealand has made good progress in improving child poverty rates, according to UNICEF.
In a report released today, it said Aotearoa has moved up in international rankings but the Government must put children ahead of tax cuts to maintain momentum.
It ranked 19th out of 39 countries, based on absolute rates of child poverty and proportional change in child poverty rates over a seven-year period.
UNICEF Aotearoa chief executive Michelle Sharp said: "It’s encouraging to see the focus on child poverty reduction in New Zealand over a number of years is starting to have a positive impact on our precious tamariki."
"However, we still have a long way to go. Now is the time to double down on our efforts and ensure we have Government-wide commitment to seeing numbers continue to trend downwards.
The report highlighted New Zealand’s high rates of poverty among Māori and Pacific children (20 and 24% respectively) when compared to European children (around 8%), and high rates of poverty among children with disabilities, who are twice as likely to live in material hardship as children without disabilities.
The report said children living in a one-adult household were more than five times as likely to be in poverty as other children.
"No level of child poverty is acceptable in New Zealand, and we remain particularly concerned for Māori and Pacific children, children with disabilities and those living in single-parent households who are still suffering from unacceptably high levels and completely avoidable poverty,” Sharp said.
On Monday the new government announced an increase in Family Tax Credits, but plans to freeze the Working for Families abatement threshold at $42,700.
UNICEF said families with children will miss out on crucial money for the basics as result.
"We are urging the newly formed Government to prioritise children in its Budget. This includes adjusting the Working for Families abatement rate to ensure money ends up in the hands of those who need it most," Sharp said.
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