St John's College creates National Poverty Index in student exercise

The inaugural launch of the first St John's College National Poverty Index provided a real insight into the number of people living in poverty around the country. Photo / Supplied

A foodbank situated 300m from St John's College in Hastings is a relevant reminder of the effects of poverty on people and their families - and one that has spurred students to create the school's own National Poverty Index.

Year 9 and 10 students from the college spent about a term and a half exploring national poverty, in a student-driven exercise.

This week, a select few Year 9, 10 and 12 students presented on their findings and were joined by keynote speaker and Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst, who gave a short presentation herself.

St John's College, Head of Department of Commerce, David Ivory said the inaugural launch of their "index reflects the values of the college and our strong need to pursue a social justice agenda".

"Each year students are committed to repeat this exercise at the same time using the same objective measures so a rich longitudinal insight into national poverty can be provided."

Mr Ivory said they created their own measure of poverty, using the prison population rate, New Zealand Child Poverty Index percentage, and average housing costs percentage as the three pillars of their index.

"We have simply taken the percentage rates of each added them together and divided by three – a simple but very powerful measure of poverty in our community."

They were mindful that the overall poverty and hardship narrative needed to be very wide, as any story that integrates the trends of three data sets needs to be clearly told in a coherent way, he said.

"We celebrate the fact that we are able to get an agreed standard definition of poverty incorporating the school values.

"Using measurements, students worked out that 16.4 per cent of households meet the school's definition of poverty."

As part of the presentation, the students presented two models, including two trees; one bigger tree planted in rich soil and one smaller tree living a life of poverty in not rich soil, as well as two baskets depicting healthy food and cheaper, unhealthier food that some families can only afford.

Local store Mitre 10 and The Warehouse provided support for the models showing the inequality gap in New Zealand.

He said it was "quite an emotional presentation" of the index, which is non-political in nature.

As a decile 4 school, he noted it was a sensitive issue, as they had a cultural mix of staff and students and it had provided a moment of reflection for all who took part.

Principal Paul Melloy thought it was a "wonderful" event which showed that there was "great hope for the future. We are in really good hands".

"This is a totally different generation. They are a caring generation who want to make a difference in social justice. It is a great message of hope."

"David Ivory is a great teacher, radical thinker and was the motivation behind the great sense of social justice and equity. The students took the idea and ran with it."

As part of their Religious Education class, they looked at an aspect of social justice, and Mr Melloy said it was important to take action as Christians.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said there was an "incredibly inspiring group of young men part of the presentation".

"They have an amazing understanding and awareness of poverty and the implications it has for the health and wellbeing of people."

Ms Hazlehurst said she had never seen any other schools do it before and that they would "certainly be wonderful leaders for the future generation".

She said the "council work in partnership with the government to help young people get jobs" and also works in partnership with the government "to work through social housing issues".

"It shows how each and every one of us plays a part to address these issues."