58770 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction

58770 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: What consultation, if any, has she undertaken with community organisations and child advocacy groups regarding child poverty policy?

Hon Louise Upston: Reducing child material hardship is one of three priorities for the Government’s Child and Youth Strategy (the Strategy). The Government engaged with a range of stakeholders on the development of the Strategy in 2024 and has continued regular engagement with stakeholders and partners at both Ministerial and agency levels. This includes regular engagement with Pou Tangata (National Iwi Chairs Forum), Mana Mokopuna - Children’s Commissioner and a range of philanthropic organisations, academics, and NGOs such as Koi Tū – the Centre for Informed Futures, Philanthropy NZ, Save the Children, UNICEF, Barnardos, NZ Council of Christian Social Services and The Salvation Army. A key recent engagement was Te Ora o Te Whānau Approaches to Child Poverty Reduction Summit that was hosted by Pou Tangata at Parliament in June 2025 and co-sponsored by myself and the Minister for Social Investment. A post-Summit Report was published by Pou Tangata in October 2025 and officials are now working with Pou Tangata to respond to some of the key recommendations from that report. The Ministry of Social Development also worked with Mana Mokopuna - Children’s Commissioner to facilitate engagements directly with a diverse range of children and young people from five regions across New Zealand to inform the Strategy development during 2024 - and on a “Child and Youth friendly version” of the Strategy, which was published in May 2025. There is a role for those outside Government, including NGOs, children, and families impacted by poverty to play in informing Strategy implementation. We will continue to engage where it makes sense. This a Strategy for everyone, not just a Government Strategy.