170,000 New Zealand children growing up without the basics

A government report shows 170,000 New Zealand children — about one in eight — are in material hardship, meaning their families can't afford everyday things like warm clothes or healthy food. That's 47,500 more than two years ago. Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad called it "a national shame" and urged all parties to work together. New Zealand has slipped behind Lithuania, Latvia, Italy, Portugal and Cyprus in international rankings.