child poverty

RNZI reports a doctor has started providing breakfast for about 150 school children in Nuku'alofa and more children are appearing on the streets of the capital selling peanuts.

In 2009, the United Nations estimated the number of Tongans living in poverty was 22.5 percent of its roughly 100 thousand people.

A doctor is buying breakfast for about 150 school children twice-a-week in Kolomotu'a and more children are appearing on the streets of the capital selling peanuts.

According to RNZI, the Centre's director, Ofa Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki, said sexual predators preyed on children in poverty.

305,000 New Zealand children now live in poverty - 45,000 more than a year ago.

However, a longtime activist, Auckland Action Against Poverty spokeswoman Sue Bradford, said statistics did not bring children out of poverty and endless reports pointing out the problem were not the answer.