As Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad prepares to conclude her term this week, she is making a final call for political leaders to place child poverty at the centre of New Zealand’s national agenda, warning that too many tamariki continue to grow up without life’s basic necessities.
A newly released child poverty report paints a concerning picture, showing around 170,000 children are living in material hardship, with many families unable to consistently afford essentials such as nutritious food, warm clothing, healthcare, and household bills. The latest figures indicate hardship has increased compared with recent years, despite long-standing commitments to reduce child poverty.
The report estimates around 170,000 children are experiencing material hardship, equivalent to roughly one in seven children across Aotearoa. The statistics also show Māori and Pacific children continue to be disproportionately affected, highlighting persistent inequities that have remained despite successive governments promising action.
Dr Achmad has described the findings as a national failure, saying New Zealand has both the resources and capability to ensure every child has access to the essentials required for a healthy start in life. As her tenure comes to an end, she has urged all political parties to make child wellbeing a central election issue rather than a peripheral policy discussion.
The report arrives as debate continues over the future leadership of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. Supporters have launched a public petition calling for Dr Achmad to remain in the role after she was not reappointed, arguing her advocacy has provided an independent voice for vulnerable children during a period of increasing economic pressure.
The latest data reinforces concerns raised earlier this year that progress towards reducing child poverty has stalled. While the Government has outlined initiatives through Budget 2026 aimed at improving household incomes and supporting families, the latest figures suggest many children continue to miss out on the basics needed to thrive.
For Māori communities, the figures are particularly significant, with tamariki Māori continuing to experience higher rates of hardship than the national average. Child advocates say addressing poverty requires long-term investment in housing, health, education, employment and income support, alongside policies developed in partnership with Māori communities.
With a general election approaching, child poverty is expected to remain a major social policy issue, with advocates calling on all parties to commit to measurable actions that will reduce hardship and improve outcomes for future generations.
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