Dr Claire Achmad: Children's Commissioner on stepping down from the role

There's been more setbacks in reducing the number of New Zealand children living in poverty. A recent Ministry of Social Development report shows almost 169,000 children were living in material hardship last year, up from 160,000 the year before. The report says rising expenses have significantly lifted hardship since 2023. Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad, who's set to finish up in the role, says children in poverty haven't been made a priority since 2022.  "After the Child Poverty Reduction Act was passed in 2018, actually, we did see a measurable decrease in child material hardship, for example. But then from 2022, what we have been seeing is that over that time is that there has been a measurable increase in child poverty." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.