It is estimated that 83,000 New Zealand children go to school without breakfast. The following link is to an article by Neil Reid of Fairfax NZ about a project which transforms 83,000 plastic spoons into a sculpture to draw attention to the plight of hungry Kiwi kids.
Neil also brings to our attention the error which 'Treasury and Statistics New Zealand' admitted to in its calculations of household disposable income, which overestimated incomes among poorer households.
The Honourable Bill English, National Party member, our Deputy Leader, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister for Regulatory Reform was told about this error prior to Christmas last year. Yet news of the errors made by 'Treasury and Statistics New Zealand' in the 2013 National Census did not break until Thursday last week. You can read the news article at this link, http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/bungle-sees-children-in-poverty-underestimated-20-000-5853202
It beggars the question, 'how many decisions have been made in Parliament based on incorrect Treasury information?', as both news articles mention how heavily our Minister of Finance and the Ministry of Social Development's principal adviser rely on said information. It's interesting to note The Ministry of Social Development has even had to withdraw reports from its own website.
This being an election year, there is an even greater responsibility of each voter to diligently research what each Political Party has to offer.
The following link outlines the Labour Party's 'Best Start' plan. Quote, 'New Zealand families are finding it harder than ever to give their kids the best start. A Labour Government will stand with New Zealand parents, because the future of our next generation depends on it.'
Note: As I find various Political Party plans and policies, I will include them in relevant future posts.
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