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Home / Whanganui Chronicle

Council 'role vital in fighting child poverty'

By Liz Wylie
Whanganui Chronicle·
17 Sep, 2014 06:24 PM3 mins to read

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Children's Commissioner Dr Russell Wills with Sue Lacy (left) and Moira McGifford of Save the Children. PHOTO/LIZ WYLIE

Children's Commissioner Dr Russell Wills with Sue Lacy (left) and Moira McGifford of Save the Children. PHOTO/LIZ WYLIE

Children's Commissioner Russell Wills believes local government can play an important role in addressing child poverty and said Wanganui District Council is well connected with the community.

"You are lucky in Wanganui, your mayor really gets this place doesn't she?"

He raised a laugh from the audience when he said "perhaps some of your previous mayors didn't quite get it".

Dr Wills, speaking at a fund-raising event for Save the Children at the Grand Hotel on Monday, said councils can play a vital role in co-ordinating community agencies.

As a paediatrician with Hawkes Bay District Health Board, Dr Wills said he sees children admitted to hospital with diseases of poverty like tuberculosis and rheumatic fever. Dr Wills spoke of his childhood in Hawkes Bay where his father was a pharmacist who sent his young son to deliver prescriptions on his bicycle.

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"I went to the worst neighbourhoods with saddle bags full of drugs and I never felt that I was in danger - neighbourhoods have changed."

Longitudinal studies into child poverty have shown that there are a number of solutions to child poverty that Dr Wills said will need a concerted effort from everyone. "Anything that smacks of a nanny state is tough for a government but raising the price of alcohol, restricting the business of loan sharks and reducing the number of gambling venues would make quite a difference and Government will follow public opinion."

Education has had some positive impacts in reducing the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and rheumatic fever in children according to Dr Wills and he said the repeal of Section 59 of the crimes act popularly known as the "anti-smacking bill" has had a positive impact in reducing the level of violence against children.

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Iwi can also play a vital role in reducing child poverty and improving health and welfare of children said Dr Wills. "The partnership between Tuhoe and Child Youth and Family means that the iwi continues to monitor and work with children in CYF care. The iwi is responsible for tamariki and partnering with government."

As Children's Commissioner, Dr Wills is recommending the introduction of a Child Poverty Act that requires each incoming government to have a plan. "Recommendations must be evidence-based and we must be parsimonious because there is not much money to put plans into action."

He warned that if there is no action there will be no money to support superannuation, health care and care for the elderly.

He urged his audience to read the report on child poverty at www.childpoverty.org.nz and said that children need to start school healthy and ready to learn so that every child will leave school with a minimum of NCEA level two.

Wanganui Save the Children president Sue Lacy and past president Moira McGifford said a number of people who were unable to attend the fundraiser had made donations or purchased tickets.

Mrs Lacy spoke briefly ahead of the commissioner, explaining how Save The Children contributes to the welfare of children in New Zealand. " ... we support the Journey of Hope programme helping children in Christchurch build resilience and cope with the aftermath of the earthquakes."

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