May 18, 2023
Trickle down missing tamariki Māori
Save the Children hopes there will be an investment in today’s Budget to raise the standard of living for struggling families.
Jacqui Southey, its director of advocacy, says she sometimes feels it’s better in New Zealand to be a cow than a kid.
She says tamariki need to be considered important citizens in their own right, rather than waiting for something to trickle down from struggling parents and whanau.
Children under five are disproportionally affected by preventable disease and illness which affects their future.
“Tamariki Maori are disproportionally affected by this and this directly relates to living environments and having adequate incomes and being able to have a warm and affordable home. Too many whanau are not able to access these absolute basics and needs in life,” Ms Southey says.
Save the Children would like to see the Ka Ora Ka Ako healthy food in schools initiative extended to early childhood settings.