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Manurewa MP Louisa Wall says a new University of Auckland study that found high levels of poverty among secondary schools students confirms what she sees in her electorate.
The study by the university’s Adolescent Health Research Group just published in the International Journal for Equity in Health found nearly one in five secondary school students living in poverty.
For Maori the figure was closer to one in three.
The researchers found a link between a link between poverty and rates of depression, smoking and obesity among high school students
Ms Wall says the Kids Can charity has partnered with Manurewa High School to provide the ingredients for students to make toasted sandwiches at lunch.
At James Cook High School, the problem identified was access to self care products.
"So we’re talking about toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, and even for some of our wahine, sanitary products, so when schools are dealing with our youth, these are some of the needs they have identified," she says.
Ms Wall says schools shouldn’t be forced to rely on charity, and the government needs to make a systemic response to the problems.
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