07.12.2023
We were delighted to host Hon Louise Upston (Minister for Social Development and Employment and Child Poverty Reduction) who spoke at the launch of our evidence brief on the need for early investment to reverse intergenerational disadvantage and inequity.
Our senior research fellow Dr Felicia Low (pictured left with the Minister ) who leads the Koi Tū Knowledge Hub for Maternal and Child and and Koi Tū affiliate Dr Johan Morreau, discussed how the effects of intergenerational disadvantage start at conception with the growing fetus and infant potentially exposed to conditions that increase the risk of poor lifelong outcomes. ·This underscores the importance of targeting the earliest stages of life for maximum effectiveness and economic analyses strongly support the cost-effectiveness of early investment.
Sir Peter Gluckman discussed how communities, practitioners, government and academia need to work together to tackle Aotearoa New Zealand’s stubbornly poor child poverty record and how cross-party and whole-of-government action is needed.
We also acknowledged the late Chloe Wright, a cherished member of the Koi Tū family, a remarkable philanthropist and a champion for maternal and social wellbeing. Felicia’s work is supported by the Wright Family Foundation.
