New Zealand First deputy leader Tracey Martin has told a Parliamentary committee that thousands of orphans being looked after by their grandparents are being financially disadvantaged.
The Social Services Committee is considering Ms Martin's members' bill that would give orphans and unsupported children parity with the clothing allowance of foster children.
Ms Martin told the committee there are about 8000 grandparents raising about 12,000 orphan grandchildren.
She said an anomaly in the law needed to be fixed so that those children can receive the same clothing allowances as orphan children in foster care.
Ms Martin said that would cost about $16 million a year.
