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'No free lunches' for hungry kids, says Colin Craig

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'No free lunches' for hungry kids - Craig

3News NZ

Colin Craig

Colin Craig

By 3 News online staff

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig says there should be "no free lunches" for children sent to school without any of their own.

In a release this afternoon, Mr Craig says research showing children that go without lunch don't learn as well is "missing the point".

"The issue is not whether lunchlessness is detrimental to learning," he says. "Rather the issue is a parents’ duty to provide for their children."

Mr Craig believes providing lunches in schools will encourage "delinquent behaviour".

"While free lunches sound appealing, they are actually a way by which the Government enables the continuation of delinquent parenting. Such proposals are an unwitting, well meaning, but destructive response."

Instead, he says "delinquent" parents should be charged the "cost of rectifying their bad behaviour".

A recent Campbell Live investigation showed kids at schools in poorer areas went without lunch far more often than those in wealthier suburbs.

Research by the Ministry of Health shows roughly 20 percent of Kiwi households with children run out of money for food.

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Comments

3/11/2012 1:57:45 p.m.

Daniel Lang wrote:

Kids that go to low decile schools should be under a program which lets them have free lunches, so they learn better and have a more similar school experience as kids from high decile schools who go to school with lunch every day.

2/11/2012 10:51:21 a.m.

Louise wrote:

Let's feed ALL the children that are hungry! I pay a lot of tax and I support this %100. THIS is what is most important, we are an aging population and it makes sense to invest in our future caregivers of theplanet. For goodness sake they need to grow up strong and healthy and ready to give back to society. Where is the humanity! Stop punishing kids because their patents suck at life.

2/11/2012 10:50:34 a.m.

helen time wrote:

colin eats heeps of free lunches he did not pay for no doubt about it .carnal Christians that's all you are hybreeding gods word with politics you will find out one day .

31/10/2012 10:28:09 a.m.

Greg wrote:

Religions should be taxed like any other business, as a charity service they are no longer needed in NZ. Which is why they were given a tax free status.

31/10/2012 9:46:11 a.m.

John Kelcher wrote:

Colin you skipped your breakfast again.

30/10/2012 6:00:40 p.m.

Whio wrote:

I'm relieved to see the majority of comments are saying Colin Craig is a loon, and of course we should be supporting these children in any way we can. The whole 'it takes a village to raise a child' is certainly true, and we in NZ have let down our children too often. CC can scream at us from the top of his pile of $$ that he doesn't want to share, but as a middle class mother, I'll back the kids over him any day of the week.

30/10/2012 5:00:02 p.m.

Craig wrote:

Most of the parents who are in this situation have to *choose* between keeping a roof over their heads and feeding their children. They should not have to much such choices.

Wake up. We are living in a severe recession and some people are doing it hard. Especially vulnerable children.

30/10/2012 4:17:58 p.m.

Te kaituhi wrote:

I kind of see his point, but at the same time feel that he's throwing the baby out with the bath water. Obviously better parental management of finances is an issue, but I would never go to the extreme to say that that is the root solution. Bad parenting or not, kids deserve a great start to life and if the govt. is able to help out with weekly sustenance then why not? Should the kids suffer just because their parents have bad finances or are experiencing the wooden spoon of life? But then I guess because Colin Craig is a successful 'CHRISTIAN' businessman, he cannot comprehend the worldview outside of the financial milieu. I am all for free lunches and I'm all for better parental management of finances. It is not an either or thing but rather a both and thing. Ma pango, ma whero, he oti te mahi - when we all work together then the work gets done. To me, Jesus came with his sleeves rolled up, ready to offer hospitality and love to those that are suffering. It does not take a genius to state the problem, but it does take compassion, teamwork, grace, wisdom and great leadership to make a difference.

30/10/2012 2:25:03 p.m.

kyleigh wrote:

Completely agree with Collin Craig on this! I am a solo mum on a benefit and always prioritize food for my child. It makes me sick that parents could even send their child to school without food. I dont have alot of money but with so much inexpensive food out there, there is no excuse! The parents need to be dealt with, educated and be made responsible. NOT supported in leaving their children hungry.

30/10/2012 2:08:23 p.m.

Amanda wrote:

Free lunches wont create delinquent parents, they are already here. What free lunches in schools can do is provide hope for these children, maybe then they can achieve something at school and not end up like their parents. Its too late to help some of these parents and by giving the food directly to the kids in need and not just giving more money to the parents we may be able to do some good. I know not all hungry kids have bad parents and not all well fed kids have good parents. Child poverty is real and regardless of who is to blame, we need to help these children in any way possible. I know a lot of teachers who are currently proving for needy children out of their own pockets by buying shoes, jackets and food etc. New Zealanders need to be aware of just how bad the problem is and what the impact will be for the next generation.