Budget 2026: a win for children’s safety but not for children in material hardship

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says today’s Budget presents an opportunity to make a positive difference in children’s lives on the things that help them thrive. “New Zealand children have told me they need a strong start in life, to grow up safe and well in thriving families and whānau, and to get to experience their right to participate.

“As the independent advocate for our nation’s children, I am interested in what this Budget does for all children, as well as having a particular interest in what it does for children in material hardship.

“I’m pleased that Budget 2026 includes strong investment towards addressing Dame Karen Poutasi’s recommendations to prevent child abuse, and into Oranga Tamariki’s work to keep children safe.

“I’ve consistently advocated for these things because we have to do better to protect children’s right to safety. I’m pleased that the Government has responded to the calls I’ve made together with my oversight system partners and through the Dear Children campaign.”

But the Children’s Commissioner is voicing concern the Budget does not go far enough for the nearly 170,000 New Zealand children living in material hardship, despite some initiatives for them.

“This is a missed opportunity to make a significant difference to our country’s child poverty rates. The reality of day-to-day struggles for children in material hardship are immense, and I’m deeply disappointed the Budget doesn’t deliver enough for them,” she says.

“This Budget creates a new Road of National Significance. Why have successive governments not yet budgeted for ending child poverty as a project of national significance?

“We’re talking about one in seven children going without the absolute basics: fresh food in the fridge, getting to the doctor when they’re sick, without a warm home.

“Children in material hardship were struggling before the fuel crisis – it’s made life even more challenging. Children are enduring the highest level of material hardship in a decade and it’s causing real stress for families.

Childhood is a short time in life. It sets the building blocks for the life-course, and children in poverty can’t keep waiting for the economy to improve.

"As their independent advocate, I hear regularly from children and young people about the pressures they face. Just yesterday children and young people have told me directly about how rising costs are affecting their families right now.

“They told me there’s not enough hot food for everyone at home. They talked about being cold without enough warm clothing and heating, not being able to get to the doctor due to high transport costs, and the stress their parents are carrying about rent and bills.

"They told me about the practical support that would make a difference – simple things like discounted public transport to get to school and the doctor, free school uniforms and supplies, and help with getting part-time jobs so they can be independent and help out their families.

“Every Budget is a chance to make a real difference for children. Set against the reality of rising hardship rates, this one simply doesn’t go far enough for the children who need support the most. They urgently need bold, targeted support.

“I renew my call for cross‑party commitment to reducing material hardship so all children can thrive because their basic rights and needs are met. Let’s make ending child poverty an enduring, cross-Parliamentary, whole-of-society project of national significance. This requires a clear and collective plan, with Government leadership. Poverty is harming children growing up right now, but it is completely preventable.”

ends

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad is available for interviews. For media enquiries, please contact:
Melissa Wastney
029 909 2715