November 09, 2018
Rotorua plan to break child poverty cycle
Rotorua Lakes Council wants to take action to address child poverty.
Mayor Steve Chadwick says its proposed child equity programme would give tamariki living in deprivation access to extra-curricular activities and experiences which enhance health and wellbeing and can have life-changing implications into adulthood.
The programme is being co-designed by Sunset Primary in Fordlands, and iwi, government agencies and philanthropic and private sector groups will also be involved.
She says a successful Hutt City model includes free access to public pools; free internet, book borrowing and printing at libraries and free transport for educational trips within the Wellington region, as well as mentoring for children.
Some 41 percent of Rotorua children under 10 live in areas with a high deprivation rating, with many going without basic needs, and the majority are Māori.
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