Dear John: Five targets to end child poverty

Sherry Carne.

On his first day back in office, John Key asked for fresh ideas to tackle child poverty. As an advocate for the Northland region, we want to help deliver these ideas.

This is the second in a series of letters from Northland leaders with their ideas on how the Government should be addressing child poverty.

Dear John,

Whangarei Child Poverty Action Group sees no need for fresh ideas to address child poverty.

That's because there are already numerous evidence-based reports and recommendations on how to address child poverty.

These include a report prepared by your own Children's Commissioner Expert Advisory Group in 2012 containing 78 recommendations.

There is also a report produced by the Child Poverty Action Group in the lead up to the election titled "Our Children Our choice: Priorities for Policy", containing 47 recommendations.

There are five areas, which are outlined in those reports, where serious action is required.

1. Increase incomes for low-income families.

For families in paid work this will include an increase in the minimum wage and indexing Working for Families tax credits to increases in the average wage as is done for New Zealand superannuation. For beneficiary families we need to raise benefits, we need to give beneficiary families the same amount as the In-Work Tax Credit, to be added to the current first child Family Tax Credit.

2. Improve numbers and quality of houses for low-income families.

This includes ensuring there is a Warrant of Fitness on all rental properties and the building of 1000 state houses per year in areas with the greatest need.

3. Improve quality and participation in education.

For Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) this includes requiring all staff counted in the ECCE teacher-to-child ratio to be qualified, registered teachers and an increase in the ratios of adults to infants and toddlers in ECCE. For compulsory education, in all decile 1-4 secondary schools, we need a 100 per cent subsidy for NCEA and scholarship examination fees and to provide before and after school and holiday programmes.

4. Improve access to primary health care.

Extend free GP visits and prescription costs to all children aged 0-18.

5. Set targets to reduce child poverty.

Design and implement a comprehensive strategy to reduce child poverty that includes actions, targets, measurable outcomes and regular reporting requirements.

The National-led Government has had six years to address child poverty - there has been no improvement. In areas like Northland teachers, nurses, social workers will all tell you it has got worse.

Action is required now - waiting for fresh ideas just prolongs our children's suffering and causes what can be lifelong damage.

Kind regards,
Sherry Carne.
Whangarei CPAG Convenor

• We want your help: Leave us a comment on Facebook or our website, send us a message or email reporters@northernadvocate.co.nz with your ideas on how child poverty should be tackled. All feedback will be submitted via Whangarei MP Shane Reti to the Prime Minister's office.