NEW ZEALAND Country Highlights OECD (2009), Doing Better for Children www.oecd.org/els/social/childwellbeing
Outcomes for New Zealand children are weak in several key areas, according to the OECD’s first ever report on children.
Co‐author of the OECD report Mr Dominic Richardson concludes that “New Zealand needs to take a stronger policy focus on
child poverty and child health, especially during the early years when it is easier to make a long‐term difference.
Despite a relatively good average educational performance, gaps in education between top and bottom performers are
higher than they need be.”
New Zealand government spending on children is considerably less than the OECD average. The biggest shortfall is for
spending on young children, where New Zealand spends less than half the OECD average.
Material conditions for Kiwi kids are relatively poor. Average family incomes are low by OECD standards, and child
poverty rates are high. The number of New Zealand children who lack a key set of educational possessions is above the
OECD median.
Despite their relatively poor material living conditions, Kiwi kids manage high rates of educational achievement – the
fourth best in the OECD. However, unlike the other three high performing countries, differences between good and poor
performers in the education system in New Zealand are average, not low.
In terms of child health, New Zealand has the highest rates of suicide in the OECD for youth aged 15‐19. Overall child
mortality is also higher than the OECD average. Immunisation rates are poor for measles (2nd worst in the OECD) and
whooping cough (5th worst in the OECD).
New Zealand spends less than the OECD average on young children and much less than it does on older children. Spending
more on young children is more likely to generate positive changes and, indeed, is likely to be fairer for more
disadvantaged children. Based on international evidence, the OECD concludes that New Zealand should spend considerably
more on younger, disadvantaged children. Equally, the New Zealand government should ensure that current high rates of
spending on older children are much more effective in meeting the needs of the disadvantaged amongst them.