170,000 New Zealand children now in material hardship, MSD report shows

The Ministry of Social Development's latest report shows 13% of children were in material hardship in 2023–2024, up from 11% three years earlier. That adds 47,500 children since 2022, bringing the total to 170,000. Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad called it "a national shame" and urged cross-party action. New Zealand was overtaken by Lithuania, Latvia, Italy, Portugal and Cyprus in international rankings.