Poverty disturbs

Barnardos is disturbed by data showing marginalised children remain disproportionately impacted by poverty. This year’s Child Poverty Monitor shows Māori and disabled youth are more than twice as likely to live in material hardship than Pakeha and nondisabled. On average, 6 per cent of kids live in damp homes . . . but it’s 12 per cent for Pasifika, and 10 per cent for Māori. Barnardos chief executive Mike Munnelly says poverty is down overall, however.