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March 21, 2026
#national: Iwi Leaders Call for Urgent Action as Child Hardship and Food Insecurity Persist
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On March 21, 2026
Iwi leaders are calling for immediate and coordinated action to address rising child hardship and food insecurity, warning that too many tamariki across Aotearoa continue to live in conditions that undermine their wellbeing and future potential.
The Skills and Employment Iwi Leaders Group under Pou Tangata says the latest data confirms what many whānau Māori are already experiencing, with hardship entrenched across generations and deeply connected to broader social and economic pressures.
Recent figures show that 14.3 percent of children are living in material hardship, equating to around one in seven tamariki. The situation is more severe for Māori, with 25.1 percent of tamariki Māori affected, alongside 31 percent of Pacific children and 26.9 percent of disabled children. A further 17.8 percent of children are living below the poverty line after housing costs are taken into account.
The data shows little movement in recent years, despite targets set under the Child Poverty Reduction Act, highlighting what iwi leaders describe as a failure to deliver meaningful change.
Food insecurity is compounding the issue, with more than one in five children living in households where food runs out due to a lack of money. For tamariki Māori, that figure rises to 32.3 percent, and for Pacific children it reaches 44.3 percent.
Pou Tangata Chair Rāhui Papa says these figures reflect the daily reality for many whānau, where families are forced to make difficult choices between essentials such as rent, power, food, and healthcare.
The situation is being further intensified by global economic pressures, including instability in oil and fertiliser markets, which are driving up the cost of food and transport. While New Zealand’s fuel supply remains stable, ongoing price volatility is expected to place additional strain on households already struggling to make ends meet.
Iwi leaders say the impact of hardship extends beyond individual households, affecting education, employment, and economic participation. When whānau are under pressure, participation in training and apprenticeships declines, transport becomes unaffordable, and businesses face increasing costs that limit hiring and growth.
There are also concerns about regional impacts, with smaller communities facing greater barriers due to limited services and higher living costs, further widening inequities.
Pou Tangata is raising questions about the Crown’s obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, particularly given the disproportionate rates of hardship experienced by Māori. Leaders say the current situation reflects structural inequities that require systemic solutions, including stronger iwi involvement in policy design and delivery.
A series of actions are being called for, including targeted financial support for whānau, measures to ease cost-of-living pressures, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and improved coordination between iwi and government.
There are also calls for iwi and community voices to be included in national economic decision-making, particularly as global pressures continue to shape local outcomes.
Iwi leaders say the message is clear-rates of hardship are not improving, food insecurity remains high, and the burden continues to fall disproportionately on Māori and Pacific communities. With economic conditions expected to tighten further, there is increasing urgency for action that addresses both immediate need and long-term structural change.
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