Child Poverty Action Group advocates for Māori and Pacific tamariki ahead of 2026 election

AUCKLAND — The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is calling on all political parties to prioritise the wellbeing of tamariki as the nation approaches the 2026 election. On Friday, 25 September 2026, the advocacy group challenged leaders to provide specific plans for reducing child poverty, noting that Aotearoa is currently not on track to meet its legislated targets under the Child Poverty Reduction Act. CPAG Executive Officer Lyn Amos highlighted that the latest data shows 14.3 percent of children—approximately one in seven—are living in material hardship. The statistics underscore significant inequities, with material hardship affecting 25.1 percent of tamariki Māori and 31 percent of Pacific children. Amos noted that roughly 47,500 more children are experiencing hardship compared to three years ago, prompting a call for urgent policy shifts to protect the most vulnerable households. To address these disparities, CPAG has released its Manifesto to Reduce Child Poverty, which focuses on five key pillars: incomes, housing, health, disability, and education. The manifesto proposes lifting the minimum wage to the Living Wage, increasing benefit levels, and ensuring the construction of 3,500 to 4,000 social homes annually. The group also advocates for extending free GP visits and after-hours healthcare to all individuals under 18, alongside establishing fees-free community-based early childhood education. According to CPAG, the upcoming election serves as a critical opportunity to secure commitments that ensure every child has access to adequate food, secure housing, and healthcare. The organisation is pushing for a shift toward the 2028 material-hardship target of 6 percent, seeking to move beyond political rhetoric toward measurable outcomes for whānau across the country.