4. Question No. 4—Child Poverty ReductionDEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori) to the Minister for Child Poverty ReductionQuestion No. 4—Child Poverty Reduction4. DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori) to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: Why did she say that this year's child poverty figures are encouraging" and has she seen reports that one in 10 children and one in five tamariki Māori experience material hardship meaning that their whānau can't afford essentials like regular healthy food doctors' visits or to pay their power bills?'Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister for Child Poverty Reduction): To the first part of the question my comment was in relation to the fact that despite the most challenging economic conditions in a generation or more actions taken by this Government have ensured New Zealand children have not fallen backwards as was originally predicted. The fact that eight out nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant decrease since 2018 shows the effectiveness of the measures we have put in place to support families over several years. However as in previous years disparities continue to be evident for Māori and Pacific children and children impacted by disability compared to New Zealand children overall. To the second part of the question: yes I have seen those figures and while there are children living in poverty we know there is more work to do and this Government is absolutely committed to doing so. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: What is her response to the fact to the fact that the reality is likely even worse than the figures reflect given that the whānau struggling the most—such as those who are homeless living in cars garages and motels—were not even surveyed in this data?Hon JAN TINETTI: The household economic survey collects data from resident individuals of private dwellings. This means that there are some families and individuals who live in long-term and non-private dwellings like emergency housing—but also camping grounds hostels and aged care facilities—who are not within the survey population. However Stats New Zealand advises me that including these children with the reported rates would not change the outcomes reported in the data. Stats New Zealand also tells me it is continually reviewing the approach taken to reduce child poverty statistics to ensure that they are reflective of the experiences of New Zealand households. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Isn't it also true that material hardship will be much worse right now as the survey included data ended June 2022 and food prices have gone up 12 percent in the last year; the biggest annual increase since 1989?Hon JAN TINETTI: What I can say is that material hardship would be a lot worse if we had sat and done nothing. This is why this Government has acted because we know that reducing child poverty is paramount.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Does she agree that the answers lie in agencies working more closely for whānau hapū iwi and community leaders as argued by many experts including the Children's Commissioner who said: "These groups are trusted by Māori and Pasifika communities that simply do not trust Government agencies and as a result either don't reach out for help or aren't comfortable sharing full details of their true situation"; if not why not?Hon JAN TINETTI: I have been in consultation and communication with many of those particular agencies and groups. I know that they are most trusted groups and they are important partners in this drive to ensure that we reduce child poverty.Hon Carmel Sepuloni: To the Minister: is it true to say that the most recent child poverty statistics don't include the full impact of the more recent increase to benefits child support pass-on and the bigger roll-out of the food in schools programme?Hon JAN TINETTI: Yes that is absolutely correct. What this Government is doing is continually looking at measures of how we can reduce child poverty. This is a continuing main part of our work programme and we will continue to look at any way we can to make sure that child poverty is reducing.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: What specific tangata whenua and community policies or initiatives can she guarantee Government will support and resource in response to the latest child poverty statistics?Hon JAN TINETTI: What I can say is that everything is still on the table in terms of what we are looking at to reduce child poverty. We absolutely will make sure that we are keeping our tamariki Māori at the centre of what we are doing and making certain that we are reducing child poverty for all. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Point of order. I don't think the Minister actually answered or replied to the actual question which was: "What specific tangata whenua and community policies or initiatives"?SPEAKER: I'll get you to ask it again; I'm not sure. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: What specific tangata whenua and community policies or initiatives can she guarantee Government will support and resource in response to the latest child poverty statistics?Hon JAN TINETTI: While I won't go into specifics what I can say is that we are working on that right at this point in time and what I did say was that everything is still on the table."