Stats NZ has released the official child poverty rates for the 2022/23 financial year which show that child poverty rates have increased, with the rising cost of living, driven by inflation, making it harder for families to afford the basics.
Stats NZ data for the three primary measures show that in 2022/23:
- 12.5 per cent of all children (143,700) were in material hardship – up 2 per cent compared to 2021/22
- 17.5 per cent of children (202,100) were in poverty, based on household income after housing costs have been paid – up 3.1 per cent
- 12.6 per cent of children (146,000) were in poverty, based on household income before the costs of housing are paid – up 0.9 per cent
Read the Press Release from the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction
Read the Press Release from Stats NZ