Media release - NZ Council of Christian Social Services
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Messages delivered by Making Poverty History campaign must continue to be heard
The messages carried by the historic Make Poverty History petition that was delivered to Parliament one year ago today
- 15 May - must continue to be heard, says the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS).
"It is timely to remember the efforts of the Make Poverty History campaign and particularly the emphasis that campaign
put on the goal of ending child poverty here in Aotearoa New Zealand," says Trevor McGlinchey, NZCCSS Executive Officer.
"When the Make Poverty History petition, which was supported by 120,000 messages, was delivered to Parliament on 15 May
2007, it was yet another signal that ending child poverty in this country must continue to be given the highest priority
possible on the Parliamentary agenda.
"This continues to be a central focus for the advocacy work done by the New Zealand Council of Christian Social
Services, as informed by our Children and Families Policy Group which holds its next quarterly meeting in Wellington
next week. The range of issues connected to child poverty was also highlighted in the Left Behind report recently
released by the Child Poverty Action Group.
"Later this month we are distributing packs of information to our members and Church-based that carry the message that
more can be done to end child poverty. Communities and families need as much support as they can get to nurture and
support our children as taonga, as our nation's treasure," says Trevor McGlinchey.
"We remain hopeful that announcements in the Budget next week will include a clear direction for ending child poverty in
Aotearoa New Zealand.
ENDS