The Child Poverty Reduction Minister attributes stagnant progress to tough economic conditions

Annual figures to June show no real change since 2018 -- despite a cross-party commitment to halve the rate, by 2028.

More than 143-thousand children are estimated to be living in material hardship.

But Louise Upston says a growing economy will start to help.

She says the cost of living is still hurting families -- and yesterday's OCR cut will take a while to flow through to them.