Prime Minister John Key says the Government will announce an initiative to provide food in schools early this week.
Mr Key made the announcement at the the National Party's northern regional conference in Auckland on Sunday.
John Key at the National Party's northern regional conference. Photo: RNZ
He told delegates that the initiative sits alongside other Government programmes including more money to insulate homes and for budgeting services, as well as an appliance purchase programme and a micro-financing initiative for low-income families.
Mr Key says he understands many people believe feeding children is a parent's responsibility, but he says the Government needs to step in if that's not happening.
"I agree with the view that it's absolutely a parent's responsibility to feed a child, but then on the other side of the coin, if a child is not fed then what happens to that child, because we know they don't learn as well and in the end they are a victim."
He says the ultimate answer to poverty is to move people into employment.
