Whakapono: End child poverty in Maori whanau A preliminary report Author Dr. M. Claire Dale 2017 About Child Poverty Action Group Child Poverty Action Group (Inc) (CPAG) is a non-profit group formed in 1994, and made up of academics, activists, practitioners and supporters. CPAG has a strong education and research role which enables it to contribute to better informed social policy to support children in Aotearoa New Zealand, specifically children who live in poverty. CPAG believes that our high rate of child poverty is not the result of economic necessity, but is due to policy neglect and a flawed ideological emphasis on economic incentives. Through research, CPAG highlights the position of tens of thousands of New Zealand children, and promotes public policies that address the underlying causes of the poverty they live in. If you are not already supporting CPAG and you would like to make a donation to assist with ongoing work, please contact us at the address below or through our website: www.cpag.org.nz. In September 2017 CPAG adopted the whakatauki: He kai tahu me kikini, he kai tahu me tīhore, mā te tamaiti te iho” (Pinch off a bit, peel off a bit, the inside is for the child” (said of the potted bird)). This whakatauki speaks to keeping the best for children. The four pou supporting CPAG’s kaupapa are: • Mana – We aknowledge and uphold the mana of all children. • Manaakitanga – We believe our society should show respect, generosity and care for all children as taonga. • Kotahitanga – We work collectively to uphold the mana of all children to ensure they flourish. • Mātauranga – We believe that child-centred knowledge is essential to upholding their mana and enabling them to thrive. Whakapono: end child poverty in Māori whānau. A preliminary report ISBN: 978-0-9951058-0-5 © November 2017 Child Poverty Action Group Inc. PO Box 5611 Wellesley St Auckland 1141 New Zealand www.cpag.org.nz Disclaimer: This publication is intended to provide accurate and adequate information on the matters contained herein and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. However, it has been written, edited and published and made available to all persons and entities strictly on the basis that its authors, editors and publishers are fully excluded from any liability or responsibility by all or any of them in any way to any person or entity for anything done or omitted to be done by any person or entity in reliance, whether totally or partially, on the contents of this publication for any purpose whatsoever. Contents Preface ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary...........................................................................................................................................................4 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Poverty and hardship ......................................................................................................................................................16 Definitions...........................................................................................................................................................................16 Incidence .............................................................................................................................................................................16 Incomes ...............................................................................................................................................................................17 Impact ..................................................................................................................................................................................19 Maori Affairs Committee Recommendations: ..................................................................................................20 CPAG Recommendations: .........................................................................................................................................20 Poverty and tamariki .......................................................................................................................................................21 Measures .............................................................................................................................................................................21 Populations .......................................................................................................................................................................22 Duration ..............................................................................................................................................................................24 Maori Affairs Committee Recommendations: ...................................................................................................24 CPAG Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................... 25 Health ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 He Korowai Oranga ....................................................................................................................................................... 26 Newborns ...........................................................................................................................................................................27 Tamariki ............................................................................................................................................................................. 28 Nga taitamariki ............................................................................................................................................................... 29 Maori Affairs Committee Recommendations: .................................................................................................. 30 CPAG Recommendations .............................................................................................................................................31 Housing ......................................................................................................................................................................................32 Home ...................................................................................................................................................................................32 Renting ................................................................................................................................................................................32 Crowding ............................................................................................................................................................................33 A strategy ......................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Maori Affairs Committee Recommendations: ...................................................................................................35 CPAG Recommendations: ...........................................................................................................................................35 Education ................................................................................................................................................................................. 36 Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) ..................................................................................................... 36 Older children: rangitahi ............................................................................................................................................ 38 Disengaging .....................................................................................................................................................................40 1 Tertiary Education ...........................................................................................................................................................41 Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Maori Affairs Committee Recommendations: .................................................................................................. 42 CPAG Recommendations: .......................................................................................................................................... 43 Concluding remarks .......................................................................................................................................................44 APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................................................................... 45 References 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