Poverty eradication focus of Labour bill

15/04/2013 10:00:12 p.m.

Helen Kinsey-Wightman wrote:

As a school Principal I strongly support this bill. I believe it is time that all parties commit to a long term strategy to ensure that regardless of changes in government there is a consistent approach to combatting child poverty. This has been the approach of countries such as Finland who have successfully addressed inequities in education and social welfare provision - as a by-product of their approach their children also outperform most other countries educationally. What matters more than our children?

15/04/2013 2:31:05 p.m.

Valerie Ball wrote:

Children of today are sufferring in many ways and as I have noticed in my work as an Animal welfare officer for over 20 yrs the biggest elemnt missing in our childrens lives is one of nurture. They may get food, shelter but lack the affection, time and roll models to much time isd spent in front of TV, Computors cell phones and not enough parent companionship time. Poverty comes in many ways as does neglect and abuse. I am a real willing advocate to help change focus and work to make lives better for our children in what ever way I can. I am a strong member of the First strike forum which looks at the child animal abuse and neglect coolation and to this a MEMO of Understanding was signed a few years back with CYF and recently one with Womans Refuge. This brings into the community the work of SPCA Inspectors as they attend negelct and abuse cases of animals. I hope this bill gets to a hearing../

15/04/2013 12:54:20 p.m.

Sally Randell wrote:

In 2008 the DPB benefit was $263.78pw In 2013 the DPB benefit is $295.37pw. So in 5 years the basic DPB has gone up $31-59 per week. A $6-31 per year increase, or 12.131% (according to BNZ calculator.) Govt stats of increases/decreases,to Dec 2012 quarter: Power is ...............UP 24% Telecommunications is down 14% Rentals (all NZ) is UP 9.1% Food is UP 15% Petrol is UP 21% (so public transport up too) Clothing is UP 1.7% So what I see with those increases are that Beneficiaries and their children are very much worse off. If they have to move house a few times in one year (at no fault of their own) the costs are crippling and could take years and years to pay back, so even less money in the household budget each week. Having to move house has a really HUGE impact on families income, stability and mental health. So with National selling off HNZ homes as they are, it is getting more dire for a family all ready on the poverty line. In Auckland people are now having to also pay Waste Water charges on top of the Water Rates...crippling everyone. So please keep up your work Jacinda and the Labour Government, keep it KIWI (:>

14/04/2013 4:19:17 p.m.

Claude Buchanan wrote:

A successful society the successful and intelligent nurturing of its children from a very early age. My wife and I go weekly to assist with early reading problems at our local school. We see just how much harm is and continues to be done to children who go hungry, shoeless and often dirty and in rags. Wake up NZ our children are our countries future

14/04/2013 11:07:24 a.m.

richard foulkes jnr wrote:

I believe everybody is living in poverty in this country.We have all starved ourselves from loving one another, we hide our love away from the most vulnerable and blame them for the financial crises in the world.We are all the oppressors in this world, by relying on governments to assist us.No we must fight for our freedom through self education, the political machine can only work when WE the poor educate ourselves as to its function. How can we follow blindly what politicians say if we do not understand our rights.The process of enrolling to vote, at local body level and at a national level. I think the poor must find a way to become intellectually wealthy, read at the free public library,look at how other impoverished nations tackled poverty. One can survive better when poor if we dont smoke cigarettes,drink alcohol, ate lactovegetarian food.Eating less crappy foods diets,addictions to animal fats,sugars eating fresh fruits and vegetables,growing your own vegetables will do more to ward off poverty than blindly following some politician . By all means use the political process, but real power comes from self realisation,knowing who you are in the universe.What your strengths are.And when poor doesnt mean your life is over.We hav so much latent self knowledge within when we give ourselves a break from being victims, to being the champions of our own minds. Then we can make better political choices,looking at the facts. Others can not assist us unless we assist ourselves, first.Have some self respect labour national will never end poverty as this sector of the community feeds the private prisons,gives the wealthy ,the elite capitalists ,the middle class the government judiciary its power. Impoverished as we all are our only way out of poverty is loving our selves.Love for our lack of money, lack of education ,love of the inherent spirituality within. We the impoverished must feed ourselves through spirituality,self esteem,non violence,non drug use non alcohol

13/04/2013 7:50:28 a.m.

Nai Palamo wrote:

Hi I am from the islands and do support Ms Ardern 100%. i believe that this bill will help some of my fellow islanders that needed, thank you Jacinda for thinking of these kinds on the world God Bless and hope it will go thru ..

12/04/2013 11:39:57 p.m.

Fergus Collinson wrote:

An essential legislative step forward. Thank you Jacinda ardem

12/04/2013 4:59:14 p.m.

Dr Terry Creagh wrote:

Ms Ardern is doing excellent work on poverty eradication and I totally support her and her bill and literally pray that it will meet with success through compassion. Terry

12/04/2013 4:54:13 p.m.

Barry Johnstone wrote:

We have a minister for racing, a minister for sports. How come we don't have a MINISTER FOR CHILDREN?

25/09/2012 4:12:13 p.m.

DIMIT wrote:

@alison wrote: Yeah I could see Jacinda as PM in 10 years