Western Bay of Plenty group launched to tackle child poverty

A Child Poverty Action Group is being launched in Tauranga. Photo / File

Western Bay of Plenty is launching a new group to tackle child poverty in New Zealand.

A Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) for the region will be launched at SociaLink's election forum on August 27.

CPAG is a charity, founded in 1994, which works to eliminate child poverty in New Zealand through research, education and advocacy.

CPAG has more than 4000 members and supporters throughout New Zealand, including academics, doctors, teachers, health workers, community workers and others who are concerned about the high numbers of children living in low income families.

CPAG for Western Bay of Plenty executive member Alan Johnson said while child poverty could be eliminated completely in a country like New Zealand, too many children didn't have the basics.

"CPAG speaks out on behalf of the tens of thousands of children in New Zealand whose meagre standard of living compromises their health, education and well-being," he said.

CPAG already has regional networks in Whāngarei, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson and Dunedin and now there is interest among Western Bay people to set up a local network.

It is funded by grants from charitable trusts and donations and provides research about the causes and effects of poverty on children and their families, and informs the public, policy makers, media and politicians of policy changes needed to reduce child poverty.

"We are building a group of people here to advocate for children's rights and child poverty in the Western Bay. We will report on children's wellbeing and draw attention to child poverty issues in the Bay, and advocate for policy responses from local councils and government," Johnson said.

"Because of the demographic and relative wealth here children's issues are often overlooked, but we have unidentified poverty in this area. It's one of the most serious issues facing New Zealand"

SociaLink's election forum is on Thursday, August 27 at 5pm, at The Kollective in 17th Avenue. Election candidates will speak on their views on social issues and answer questions.