1 in 6
Children live in income poverty, meaning their families don’t have enough to live on each week after paying for housing costs.
Child poverty in New Zealand
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The reality for too many kids
Shoes held together with duct tape. Kids who’ve eaten nothing since lunch the day before. Brothers sharing a pair of shoes. Children sick from living in overcrowded homes.
These are the heartbreaking stories we hear from teachers at our partner schools and early childhood centres.
Sadly, the statistics show that child poverty in New Zealand isn't getting any better. 169,000 children (14.3%) are living in material hardship, and that impacts our youngest New Zealanders’ chances – now and into the future.
The Numbers
1 in 7
Children live in material hardship. This means they go without necessities like fresh fruit and vegetables or enough meat, lack adequate clothing, and put up with feeling cold.
1 in 4
Children live in households where food runs out sometimes or often. The latest statistics show food insecurity is getting worse.
