Poverty Committee welcomed
The creation of a ministerial committee on poverty is being hailed as a positive step.
Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson is urging people to give the new body a chance to succeed.
The National Government's confidence and supply agreement with the Maori Party requires the creation of the committee, which aims to alleviate the effects of poverty.
New Labour Party leader David Shearer has called on Prime Minister John Key to open the committee to other political leaders.
Mrs Robertson says: "This is a positive step and I applaud the Maori Party for championing it. People need to give it a chance instead of immediately knocking it.
"It would be of value for more parties to be involved, but at least this is a start."
She says at this time of year in particular the effects of poverty are thrown into "sharp relief".
"We've been pushing this issue for many years and still we continue to see thousands of families and individuals who simply cannot escape the vicious cycle of poverty.
"I hope the new ministerial committee will take the issue of poverty in our country seriously and develop measures to redress inequality."
The Auckland City Mission's Christmas appeal ran until the end of December. Donations can still be made at www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz, or phone (09) 303-9200.