Deprived at the start

Middle-class New Zealand has become indifferent to child poverty, say the people who are dealing with the damage.

- COLLEEN BROWN

Child poverty - the words should have a chilling effect on every New Zealander. About 20% of children in this country live below the poverty line, with another 13% struggling in what the Child Poverty Action Group calls "extreme poverty". According to the government's Child Poverty Monitor figures, one in five children lives in a household that sometimes runs out of food and this data was collected before the current spike in living costs.

The effects are significantly worse for Māori and Pasifika. While 25% of children live in homes that have dampness problems, for instance, that figure is 35% for Māori children I have this and 37% for Pasifika children.

Yet the people who see this deprivation up close on a daily basis believe that too many New Zealanders have become immune to the debate. We're indifferent to the numbers and oblivious to the long-term effects. The Listener asked six of them to describe the situation as they see it and offer ideas that would bring about meaningful change. They had some uncomfortable questions and tough insights for us all.

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

For 35 years, Shirley Maihi has been the principal of Finlayson Park School in Manurewa, a low socioeconomic area with high Māori and Pasifika populations. She has seen it all. Maihi is a no-nonsense woman with a huge heart for her community and believes the Covid pandemic has knocked the stuffing out of it.

"Parents are at the bottom of their ebb. Even though they know we will feed and educate their children, they simply do not have the energy and urgency to get their children to school," Maihi says.