While the Government is moving towards implementation of some recommendations of the advisory group on Solutions to Child Poverty, there is little in the Budget that shows real commitment to change . Despite pre-Budget announcements, the outcomes of work undertaken by the Ministerial Committee on Poverty since its establishment also remain unclear.

We endorse the support provided to the most vulnerable New Zealanders through the Warm Up New Zealand and rheumatic fever programmes but other spending decisions are more difficult to reconcile.

In particular:

• a food-in-schools programme is missing in action and looks set to have passive Government involvement although further announcements are promised
• a whiteware procurement programme and pilot partnership for low cost loans get the green light but are somewhat underwhelming to address the needs of vulnerable New Zealanders.

The Budget speaks of investment and wrap around, but the broader focus appears to be on welfare reform targeted at financial accountability rather than adequate support for the most vulnerable. Accountability has its place but we are concerned that greater cost savings for the Government rather than real change for those most in need will result.

Housing provision catch-up

The Commission welcomes the positive initiatives to enlarge state houses and increase the stock after several years without any provision for new state houses. However the demand for affordable state rental housing is such that 500 new homes over two to three years must be seen as a minimum number.

The number of vacant state houses has been the subject of publicity recently, especially in South Auckland. The immediate renovation and re-letting of vacant houses should be undertaken to help ease the urgent demand while the new initiatives are being actioned. Even if they are not of the ideal size they would provide much better accommodation than is afforded by garages or overcrowded houses.

Improving housing affordability

The Government's acceptance of the Productivity Commission's recommendations is also a positive step to tackle long-term housing inaffordability. The implementation will require sustained effort by Government and the Auckland Council. However this is unlikely to be the full answer after years of rampant increase of house values. Unless Government is prepared to impose specific restrictions, owning a house will continue to be beyond the reach of an increasing number of New Zealanders. An example would be a requirement that property developers must include a proportion of lower cost housing in every development above a certain size.

For further comment contact

Norman Elliot

Deputy Chair, Justice & Peace Commission, Catholic Diocese of Auckland

Phone 575 4943 (hm), 623 0402 (wk) mobile: 021 040 4102

Image: cdn.3New.co.nz

For many parents and caregivers around the country, keeping their children adequately warm, fed and healthy is a daily struggle. You don't have to be a beneficiary to know that times are really testing; we are in the midst of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. I cannot comprehend what the Great Depression was like, but I will admit that my spouse and I find it quite difficult to cover all the bills and we will always think twice about visiting the doctor, simply because we too are feeling the financial crunch. There is no doubt that people around the country are working harder for longer and making tough choices. Some of you might remember Finance Minister Bill English's closing statement as he delivered the 2012 budget "New Zealanders have shown great resilience through challenging times, budget 2012 supports their aspirations for a brighter future." I certainly do not see much hope in that budget; in fact many of us, particularly families, are in despair.

So, where does that leave our most vulnerable? My heart breaks at the thought that so many children go without a meal most days or that their parents cannot afford the winter uniform because it costs a considerable amount. What makes me really angry is that we all know this; there have been countless reports and documentaries emphasising this issue. I personally am tired of governments talking about what they are going to do to tackle this issue. The reality is that an increasing number of children are going hungry, living in cold housing and suffering from preventable diseases. Unfortunately, a significant number of these children will grow up into dysfunctional adults, unless we do something about it. This is a serious issue, an ethical and moral issue that needs a government and you and I to be urgently proactive about change. It's time to turn the tables. Our children need us to do the little things that bring hope and a momentum for change.

We are, after all, raising the next generation of New Zealanders.

• Jennifer Angela Marie Navarro Martinez, is a New Zealand born Philipino who was raised in central Auckland in a typical working class family of the late 80's and early 90's. For the last 8 years she has worked in youth development for The Logos Project. She lives with her partner Ben, and 3-year-old daughter Micah Marcella, and family member Samantha.