Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Finance TREASURY SCHOOLS CHALLENGE 2015  Fiona Wu  Caitlin Janes  Trang Dai Vo  Victoria Chen 

Currently, a quarter of New Zealand children live in poverty. As of 2014, 11.8% of youth between the ages of are NEET.

THE KEY ISSUES  Poor Housing Conditions  Sole Parents  Childhood Obesity

HOUSING CONDITIONS “70% of all children living in poverty live in poorly maintained rented homes.” - Bryan Perry, Ministry of Social Development 2012

Overcrowding Cold and damp homes Homes inefficient to heat Inadequate Housing Regulations Poorly maintained rental homes

 Rheumatic Fever  Skin and viral infections  Respiratory illnesses  Poor education outcomes  Sleep deprivation  Parents missing work Diseases of Poverty

Ceiling insulation Underfloor insulation Adequate window coverings Sustainable form of heating Free from dampness Policy Recommendation

Short Term  Costs to Landlords  Possible Increase in Rental Prices  Costs to Government Long Term  Decrease in poverty related illness  Increased living standards  Sustainable economic growth The Trade Off

SOLE PARENTS “Children from sole parent families are four times more likely to live in poverty.” - Child Poverty Monitor 2013 Report

“IN 2011, ONLY 36% OF SOLE PARENT HOUSEHOLDS WERE IN FULL TIME JOB AND ONLY 19% WERE IN A PART TIME JOB.” - Work and Income New Zealand (2012) Lack of time Waste of resources (Labour) Lack of skills and education Financial Instability Inability to afford childcare Increase in Child Poverty Discrimination

Policy Recommendation  Increases the affordability of childcare  Boosts workplace participation rate  Decreases the number of unemployed sole parents Increase the Childcare Subsidy

 Improve child welfare  Enable increase in accessibility  Increase in supply of labour  Increase in output  Decrease in poverty  Decreases income inequality  Increases opportunity and capability to participate  Future generations

Costs  Increased government spending  Decreased available funds for other sectors This is offset by:  An increase in income tax take  Decreased social welfare payments The Trade Off

CHILDHOOD OBESITY “1 in 9 children are obese, and a further 1 in 5 are overweight.” - Ministry of Health 2012/2013

Uneven Prevalence “Children living in the most deprived areas are 3 times as likely to be obese as children living in the least deprived areas” - NZ Ministry of Health Socio- Economic “60% of Pacific Island children and 40% of Maori children and are either overweight or obese.” - The Nutrition Foundation Ethnicity

The Consequences PERSONAL Higher risks of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, breathing problems, stroke and hypertension. SOCIAL Bullying, harassment, depression. ECONOMIC Less productive members in the workforce. Costly state health bills.

Policy Recommendations Healthy lifestyle education directed at parents and parents-to-be. Fund community cooking classes, particularly in low socio-economic areas. Fund the establishment of fruit and vegetable gardens in schools.

Framework Areas Targeted

How We Make Things Better

Prosperity, Sustainability & Inclusiveness Minimizing existing and potential social exclusion Elevated participation and productivity Addressing issues at a young age so children can engage in the economy as adults Balancing out inequalities and addressing the roots of disadvantage Focus on social implications and non-economic wellbeing Minimised risks of workplace disengagement and low levels of future economic growth

“Intrinsic disadvantage need never be the status quo.” - Epsom Girls Grammar Treasury Team