In a statement, the spokesperson for the Commission, Ms Loraine Elliott acknowledges some of the worst economic times for New Zealanders in many years and is commending the government's efforts.

Elliott is pleased that Budget 2022 is looking to address school attendance issues by supporting initiatives that work for local communities to deal with engagement and attendance.

"This is particularly helpful for Maori and Pasifika communities that have suffered badly from the 2014 withdrawal of funding that would have helped schools to address this," she says.

However, Elliott says there are areas where the Commission believes much more could have been done, particularly in the area of child poverty.

Housing

Elliott said that stable, affordable, warm and dry housing is a fundamental necessity for the well-being of all people in NZ, especially children. She says that despite various initiatives in recent years the Government has not faced the housing crisis head-on.

As of 31 March 2022, there were 26,865 households waiting on the Housing Register; an increase of 13.4% since March 2021.

She says that while the Government is building the greatest number of public housing units of any government for many years, the Register list is not reducing.

While acknowledging some of the measures announced today sound positive, actual delivery is key.

"More information is needed about how they will assist people to purchase their own homes," says the Commission.

The Commission points to inflation and interest rate increases as compounding the problem of homeownership; particularly for first home buyers.

Family and child poverty

The Commission acknowledges the temporary $350 cost-of-living grant for people earning less than $70 000 per year, but is stunned that there is almost nothing to help society's most vulnerable or to help alleviate child and family poverty.

The Commission says New Zealand's most vulnerable families have suffered decades of intergenerational poverty and it is very disappointed that yet again these Kiwis have been ignored.

"It would have been helpful if this initiative had continued this year to enable many families to support themselves with dignity, particularly as costs have increased so much recently.

"The silence of Budget 2022 on this is astounding," she said.

Climate change

The Commission welcomes the Government's support to reduce transport emissions by improving access to public transport, by extending the 50% reduction in fares, and through a vehicle replacement scheme for low-income households.

It supports the emissions reduction plan signalling the beginning of long-term carbon budgets but warns it needs to include agricultural emissions as well.

"We also commend the continuation of the Warmer Kiwi Homes initiative which helps fund heating and insulation upgrades for low-income households," says Elliott.

The challenge runs from April 1 to May 15.

The annual event in New Zealand aims at demonstrating solidarity with those living with poverty or injustice.

The challenge activities and experiences come under the headings "Move It", "Live It", "Sweat It" and "Stop It".

Social injustices faced by many Cambodians include loss of land, the effects of climate change, human rights breaches and economic instability.

Continue reading

Previous events have left countries with decaying venues and huge bills that take years to pay off.

Local communities are increasingly unhappy that a large portion of their government's funds are directed towards events that might line the pockets of corporations, but do little to support local industry.

The $51 billion Sochi Winter Olympic Games — believed to be the most expensive Olympics in history — may have showcased modern Russia to the world, but it also shone a spotlight into the darker corners of the country's society: its treatment of LGBT people, the crackdowns on free speech of groups like Pussy Riot, and the corruption among the country's elite.

The spotlight will soon turn on Brazil, with the World Cup kicking off in June.

Here too, the event has brought world attention to the country's issues.

Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets to protest the enormous financial costs, the forced evictions of communities, and the exploitation of construction workers.

Marginalised people bear the brunt of costs for these global events.

A new report from Caritas Australia estimates that around 200,000 people have been forced out of their homes in favelas in Brazil to make way for the construction of venues for the World Cup - that's one in every 1000 people. Continue reading.

Source: Eureka Street

Image: ShutterStock