Mr Speaker, three months ago the Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty released their report in which they said:

“Children living in poverty are those who experience deprivation of the material resources and income required for them to develop and thrive, leaving such children unable to enjoy their rights, achieve their potential and participate as full and equal members of NZ society”.

They then went on to say:

Northern Advocate:

A Whangarei child poverty group is urging all political parties to support a bill by Mana Party Leader Hone Harawira to provide free food for all children in low-decile schools. Mr Harawira's Education (Breakfast and Lunch Programmes in School) Amendment Bill was last week drawn from the Parliamentary Ballot to be considered by MPs.

The bill, affectionately dubbed the "Feed the Kids Bill" proposes providing free breakfast and lunches for all children in decile 1 and 2 schools around the country. Whangarei Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) spokeswoman Sherry Carne said if adopted, the bill will make inroads into Northland's appalling child-poverty statistics.

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira joins Te Karere in studio to discuss his thoughts on the Government's white paper report on vulnerable children.

“I think every New Zealander would agree that government’s first priority should always be our children” said MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Hone Harawira “so I’m really glad that my Feed the Kids Bill was drawn in today’s ballot.”

Harawira said that his Education (Breakfast and Lunch Programmes in School) Amendment Bill would provide free breakfast and lunches for all children in decile 1 and 2 schools in New Zealand.

Since I put my bill into the ballot back in August, Labour has come out in support, Campbell Live has given a lot of profile to the issue, the Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group on Child Poverty has recommended food in schools as an immediate solution to escalating child poverty, and I got a nice email of congratulations from the Greens today as well.”

TangataWhenua.com:

We are delighted that even National is now supporting MANA’s Feed-the-Kids policy” says MANA leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau Hone Harawira.

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English announced over the weekend the government is developing a policy to provide meals for children in low decile schools.