Groups working to improve living standards for poorer New Zealanders say the Labour Party's scrapping of its policy of a GST exemption on fresh fruit and vegetables has not come as a surprise.
But they say more needs to be done to help people struggling to afford healthy meals for their family.
Child Poverty Action Group health spokesperson Dr Nikki Turner says she believes a range of strategies for dealing with poverty issues has to be considered and introduced comprehensively, rather than cherry-picking bits and pieces.
The nutrition manager for Te Hotu Manawa Maori health trust, Leonie Matoe, says aspects of the policy may have been flawed, but the issue is important when so many families are battling to put fruit and vegetables on the table.
