The Council of Christian Social Services wants the new Government to set targets to reduce poverty, before the organisation can believe the National and Maori parties are serious about alleviating the problem.
Poverty is one of the policies in a confidence and supply agreement between the two parties.
The arrangement will result in a ministerial committee being set up to consider how environment, housing, employment, training and education policies can help to alleviate poverty.
The Green Party says the deal is a ploy for the Government to win Maori Party votes on crucial matters.
Christian Social Services chief executive Trevor McGlinchey says the Maori Party needs to take a lead role if the committee's work is to be effective.
He says whanau ora appears to be working and now targets in areas such as housing and employment need to be set out.
