From Julia Stuart
Deprivation Story from the South
As the Hikoi of Hope passes through Southland, figures have been released actually quantifying for the first time the level of poverty in the region. According to the 1996 census, the "deprivation index" for people living in some districts is significantly higher than the national average.
"These indicators have been developed through work in research units over the last 15 years," said researcher Dr Judith Reinken. "They combine personal and household characteristics of the people in each region, and compare this with the national average."
In the area ranging from Stewart Island and Bluff to Invercargill, including the city, the analysis shows that nearly half the people aged 20-59 do not have a job, one person in three has an income under $15,000 and over half of all households have less than $30,000 coming in in a year. The national figure is 44 per cent.
Dr Reinken says that, by taking incomes under $15,000 before tax, the figures include both people on different welfare benefits and those earning low wages. A person working fulltime on the minimum wage earns just under $15,000 in a year. Households with incomes under $30,000 qualify for Community Services Cards, entitling them to lower doctors' fees and medicines.
The employment figures naturally do not differ between those who choose not to work, who may be fulltime parents or unpaid caregivers or who may be very busy with voluntary work in the community. The national average of people aged 20-59 with no work is ????
The analyses are being discussed at gatherings where the Hikoi stops for public meetings and overnight stays. In the south, these are the marae at Bluff (Tuesday 1st September), and St John's Church, Invercargill (Wednesday 2nd September).
New figures measure Far North deprivation
As the Hikoi of Hope passes through the Far North, figures have been released actually quantifying for the first time the level of poverty in the district. Based on the 1996 census, the "deprivation index" for people living in North Cape down to Waiomio is more than two-and-a-half times higher than the national average.
"These indicators have been developed through work in research units over the last 15 years," said Dr Judith Reinken, a researcher living in the Far North. "They combine personal and household characteristics of the people in `meshblock' areas (groups of 100), and compare this with the national average."
In places like the North Cape, Hokianga, Whangaroa and towns like Kaikohe, Moerewa and Kawakawa, the analysis shows that about half the people aged 20 to 59 have no work at all, two-thirds have incomes under $15,000 and more than two-thirds of households have less than $30,000 coming in in a year. The national figure is 44 per cent.
Dr Reinken says that, by taking incomes under $15,000 before tax, the figures include both people on different welfare benefits and those earning low wages. A person working fulltime on the minimum wage earns just under $15,000 in a year. Households with incomes under $30,000 qualify for Community Services Cards, entitling them to lower doctors' fees and medicines.
The employment figures naturally do not differ between those who choose not to work, who may be fulltime parents or unpaid caregivers or who may be very busy with voluntary work in the community. The national average of people aged 20-59 with no work is 21 per cent.
The analyses are being discussed at gatherings where the Hikoi stops for public meetings and overnight stays. In the Far North, overnight stops are scheduled for Kaitaia (Tuesday 1st September), Ngawha (Wednesday 2nd September) and Waiomio (Thursday 3rd September).