Jacinda misleads on child poverty again
Stuff reports a Q+A with Jacinda Ardern:
What’s next on poverty?
On the raw numbers we started from a situation where things were getting worse, but we have flipped those indicators and they’re heading in the right direction.
This is wrong, and she should know it is wrong.
Here are the latest official stats. Let’s look at all nine measures of child poverty, in raw numbers.
- Under 50% median income before housing costs. Dropped from 177,200 in 2015 to 156,300 in 2017. Now at 168,500
- Under 50% median income after housing costs. Dropped from 295,600 in 2015 to 247,500 in 2017. Now at 235,400
- In material hardship. Dropped from 190,400 in 2015 to 139,600 in 2017. Now at 151,700
- Under 60% median income before housing costs. Dropped from 267,900 in 2015 to 243,300 in 2017. Now at 263,400
- Under 60% median income after housing costs. Dropped from 331,200 in 2015 to 313,600 in 2017. Now at 328,200
- Under 50% median income after housing costs. Dropped from 258,500 in 2015 to 235,500 in 2017. Now at 241,600
- Under 40% median income after housing costs. Increased from 168,200 in 2015 to 178,000 in 2017. Now at 167,600
- Severe material hardship. Dropped from 93,000 in 2015 to 73,600 in 2017. Now at 66,100
- Under 60% median income after housing costs and material hardship. Dropped from 110,900 in 2015 to 86,200 in 2017. Now at 92,300
Now the years do not correlate exactly with Governments as they ask people about the previous year, and get surveyed over 12 months. But it is very clear that the trend up until 2017 was declining child poverty, not increasing. And many of the indicators today are worse off than in 2017.
Here’s the summary of the percentage changes from June 2015 to June 2017 and June 2017 to June 2019.
| Measure | Jun 15 to Jun 17 | Jun 17 to Jun 19 |
| 50% BHC | -12% | 8% |
| 50% AHC | -16% | -5% |
| Material hardship | -27% | 9% |
| 60% BHC | -9% | 8% |
| 60% AHC | -5% | 5% |
| 50% AHC | -9% | 3% |
| 40% AHC | 6% | -6% |
| Severe material hardship | -21% | -10% |
| 60% AHC & MH | -22% | 7% |
The only correct part of the PM’s statement is they flipped the indicators – but not in the direction she claims!