Introduction

Hello, Kia ora and welcome to my blog site. Through my blog site I am aiming to provide information, statistics and research for people like you and me who are interested in the effects of child poverty in New Zealand, Aotearoa. Over the up and coming weeks of this course I will be providing information and evidence from national research, the media and experts to show multiple perspectives about factors that contribute to child poverty. I will also be providing useful links that will be aiming to draw current research and information on the following:

·         The history of child poverty in New Zealand;

·         Family income-causing lack of food, clothes, hospital visits and education;

·         Inadequate housing-causing health issues.

Furthermore, I will be providing critique on the information and evidence that is collected through analysing relevant policies and legislation's. Lastly, I will also consider the pedagogical implications for early childhood teachers, including myself and the effects that child poverty has on the centre including, children, parents, whānau/family and the community.


What is child poverty?

·         “Children living in poverty [are those who] experience deprivation of the material, spiritual and emotional resources needed to survive, develop and thrive, leaving them unable to enjoy their rights, achieve their full potential or participate as full and equal members of society” (United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF} as cited in Wikipedia, 2012).

Professor Innes Asher describes a practical definition of poverty as inadequate income for:

• Health care (transport, doctors fees, prescription costs, hospital parking
• Nutritious food
• Adequate housing (not crowded, damp, cold or too costly)
• Clothing, bedding, washing and drying facilities
• Education (transport, stationery, school donations, exam fees, and school trips)

This all has an overall impact an children.

(Asher, 2010)

References

Asher, I. (2010). Improving the Poor Health Outcomes for Children in New Zealand - What Can Be   Done? Retrieved from http://www.cpag.org.nz/assets/Health/MIAsherPorrittLecture3Nov2010%20%282%29.pdf

Wikipedia. (2012). Poverty. Retrieved from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/poverty