The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has released a plan to combat high levels of poverty.
The programme, Ten actions to reduce poverty, was released on Thursday, four months after it was first proposed to Finance Minister Bill English.
CTU economist Bill Rosenberg says improving access to low cost quality housing, creating conditions for good employment practices and job creation are part of the plan.
Mr Rosenberg says wage levels in New Zealand are unfairly low which is the starting point for high levels of poverty.
He says harsh measures proposed by the Ministry of Social Development to force struggling parents to work will only make matters worse for children living in poverty.
