ABSTRACT
The extensive economic and social policy reforms undertaken in New Zealand between 1984 and 1999 resulted in a widened income distribution, increased economic hardship and poorer housing and health outcomes. The impact was heaviest on families with dependent children, especially those headed by lone mothers. International comparisons on the prevalence and employment rates of lone parent families and the level of assistance to families with dependent children showed additional reasons for the high level of poverty for New Zealand children. Current solutions are based on the provision of services to ‘at-risk’ families, improving employment prospects for lone mothers and offsetting ethnic disadvantage, rather than addressing poverty directly through additional welfare assistance.
