Children’s Commissioner urges Government to prioritise children with greatest needs in support package

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad is urging further decisive Government action to ensure support for the children with the greatest needs, in light of the increases in the cost of living.

Last month’s Stats NZ data showed that one in seven children (14.3%) are living in material hardship. Just over half of these children are in families who are unemployed or under-employed, and therefore ineligible for the new payment from the Government. The Commissioner urges the Government to expand its new package to include families who are not currently in sufficient paid work.

“Any financial support should extend to all households where children are at risk of missing out on things like nutritious food and warm housing due to rising costs,” says Dr Achmad.

“The Government’s new support package should provide some help for the families and children it covers. But I’m concerned that because of the scope of the package, children in families that aren’t in work – for example due to the challenges in the job market right now – are missing out on this support. I’m urging the Government to make sure that children with the greatest needs, meaning those already living in material hardship, receive additional Government support.”

With petrol prices nearing $4.00 per litre in some areas, the cost of transport is directly competing with the cost of food for families. Social service organisations report that families are already cutting back on car travel with their children to save money.

“Over recent weeks, children and young people around the country have told me directly that this is a real challenge for them. It’s creating stress for them and their families. They’ve asked me to advocate for practical support to be put in place now, to help address some of this pressure.

“We need to make it easier for children to get to school and healthcare without their parents having to choose between a bus fare and kai on the table. I want the Government to consider making available free or heavily subsidised public transport for children and young people, to help them to get to school and participate in their education, which is crucial.”

Last week’s Hunger Monitor report found that one in three households struggled to afford food in the past year, and high fuel costs will further increase food prices, including fresh fruit and vegetables. The New Zealand Health Survey shows one in three mokopuna Māori, and nearly one in two Pacific children live in households where food runs out often or sometimes. The flow-on impacts of the Middle East conflict raise the real risk of more children being pushed into material hardship.

Dr Achmad is advocating for ongoing Government investment in the Healthy School Lunches Programme to be part of the package of support for New Zealand’s children in greatest need.

“Filling hungry tummies at school is a practical way to reduce the immediate impact of poverty for children, at a time when food insecurity is a real challenge in our communities. I’m asking the Government to commit to multi-year funding for the Healthy School Lunches Programme in Budget 2026, and to ensure it reaches children who need it most.”

“Conflict and instability globally has a direct and painful impact on children’s lives – primarily for those in the heart of the crisis. While I’m advocating for support for children who are impacted by the flow-on effects of the rising costs of everyday life, I acknowledge the many children and young people in New Zealand who are deeply connected to the Middle East, who fear for their loved ones.

“Now is the time for the Government to offer meaningful support to help mitigate and prevent the flow-on hardships for mokopuna and their whānau. Targeting support to more children who are already living in material hardship is a crucial investment to make, now. It’s a tangible way to put into action the Government’s Child and Youth Strategy priority of Reducing Child Material Hardship. Making help available to these children in the ways I’m suggesting will help prevent negative impacts in their lives both now and in the longer term."

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

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad is the independent advocate for all children under the age of 18 in Aotearoa New Zealand and children and young people under 25 who have been in or who are in State care and/or custody. As Children’s Commissioner, Dr Achmad leads the team at Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner, an independent Crown entity.