Child welfare campaigners say new funding for research into how to give children a better start in life will just delay political action on child poverty.
The Government is committing an extra $73.5 million to 10 research areas, including how to make sure young New Zealanders have a healthy and successful life.
Child Poverty Action group spopkesperson Susan St John said many of the reasons children struggle are already known and funding more research in that area is not a good use of money.
Mana Party leader Hone Harawira said the money would be better spent on addressing child poverty, through initiatives like school-based food programmes.
