New research reveals 'shameful' extent of child poverty in New Zealand

The University of Otago-led study, published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal, involved 168 12-year-olds wearing automatic cameras for four days.

The innovative Kids'Cam cameras took a photo every seven seconds, exposing the impacts of child poverty in multiple ways—less access to healthy food and educational resources, poorer housing and fewer opportunities for structured physical activity.

Senior author Professor Louise Signal, of Otago's Department of Public Health, says it is "shameful we allow children to live in poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand."

"It permanently impacts children's health and well-being and is no way to build a thriving nation," she says.

Poverty is a significant health and equity issue in Aotearoa New Zealand, affecting more than 20 percent of children. Māori and Pacific children experience rates almost twice as high as New Zealand European children. The result is an environment that fails to support children's right to healthy development and uphold Te Tiriti.

"In this study we compared the images of the children living in high and low deprivation to better understand what it means for children to live in poverty from a child's perspective," Professor Signal says.

New Zealand children living in poverty appeared to have access to fewer types of fruit and vegetables, and less educational materials and physical activity equipment available than their more privileged peers.

They lived in homes with more structural problems and mold, were less likely to have fixed heating sources, computers, material possessions and "personal space," i.e. their own bedroom, desk for studying and "personal items" like books, posters, and games.

They appeared to participate in fewer educational activities and structured physical activities. However, there was no difference in unstructured physical activities, in part because backyards appear equally available and are popular places to play.

"These children show comprehensive policies are urgently needed to address the complex problem of child poverty.

"Adults don't appear to see this—unlike the children in this study. The adults of this country need to take action to end child poverty. Perhaps these children's images will help this be achieved."

Professor Signal says since data was collected, there have been some welcome improvements to housing and benefit levels and a cost-of-living payment to non-beneficiary low-income earners was announced this week. Yet, the issue of child poverty remains in Aotearoa, damaging the health and well-being of our children.