Will's Word: Pacific kids overrepresented in poverty statistics 'heartbreaking'

It's genuinely sad and ultimately frustrating to see that Pacific and Māori children are still overrepresented in poverty statistics in Aotearoa.

Is anyone like me exhausted from seeing such data? We deserve better than this, frankly.

The latest figures show no real progress in reducing child poverty, and we're still failing these kids.

The numbers speak for themselves: 28.7 per cent of Pacific children live in material hardship, compared to just 12.7 per cent of the general population.

Almost half of Pacific families are earning among the lowest 40 per cent of incomes in the country.

It’s heartbreaking to see such a disproportionate impact, and it’s clear that the issues go beyond just economic hardship - they’re rooted in deep, systemic inequalities.

So what the hell is the solution? I’m frankly sick and tired of our people being pushed to its limits.

We deserve better, we deserve a more prosperous life than we’ve been dealt.

Listen to Will's Word below

How can we improve on these outcomes before they get worse?

Well, I suppose the government's initiatives, like FamilyBoost and tax relief, are a start, but arguably they aren't enough.

We need real, large-scale solutions that address the root causes of poverty, things like better access to affordable housing, quality education, and stable, well-paying jobs.

Ultimately though, the focus should be on giving every child the chance to thrive, no matter their background.

That’s Will’s Word.