The latest child poverty statistics from Stats NZ show over 23,000 more children are going without household essentials since 2022 due to the rise in the cost of living.
Seventeen-point-five percent of children are living in households with less than half of the median disposable income after household costs, up by around three percent on last year.
One in eight children are living in households experiencing material hardship, meaning they are likely going without fresh fruit and vegetables, doctor's visits, and good pairs of shoes.
That was up two percent on last year.
Mana Mokopuna Children and Young People's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad spoke to Charlotte Cook.
