The Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reported in December 2019 that Poverty / inequality is the second highest ranking issue in Aotearoa with 29% considering it as a top issue. It has been in the top 5 issues since measurement began. Housing is the top issue. Read more here .
But there has been little improvement in lowering economic inequality. Max Rashbrooke comments that the report on Household incomes in New Zealand: Trends in indicators of inequality and hardship 1982 to 2018, by Bryan Perry for the Ministry of Social Development’s key annual report makes for depressing if not surprising reading.
Economic inequality remains at the very high level the country was left with in the late 1990s following 15 years of market-based reforms. Poverty rates for the general population and children remain high. Relative poverty rates virtually all increased 2008-17. In contrast, material deprivation decreased. Nonetheless, the overall story is the continuing absence of substantial action against economic inequality and poverty, both of which damage individuals and the social fabric alike. For more details refer here .
