Minister: 'Growing Up In NZ' study under funded by Labour

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says Auckland University's long term "Growing Up In New Zealand" study of Auckland children was underfunded by Labour.

Labour this week accused Ms Bennett of lying when she said Ministry of Social Development (MSD), which commissioned the study, had not cut funding for it, and that Labour had not made an ongoing allocation of funding for it when in Government.

Questioned on funding for the study by Labour deputy leader Annette King, Ms Bennett told the House on Wednesday Labour had "not funded it ongoing".

Ms King however referred to Budget documents showing Labour had allocated $4.75 million in MSD funding for the study in 2009/2010 year and $3.1 million the following year.

Responding to further questions from Ms King yesterday, Ms Bennett said while Labour had allocated MSD funding for the study over that period, "it was nowhere near enough".

"Within weeks of getting into this job, I was told that there was a $10 million shortfall in funding. There had been no funding plan by the previous Government for a study that it had launched. I have found $9.5 million in the last two years to prop up a Labour study that it had initiated without funding it as it went forward."

Professor Iain Martin of the university's Medical and Health Sciences faculty this week confirmed the study of 7000 children in Auckland and the Waikato was facing a serious funding shortfall and it would be difficult to continue it in its current form without an ongoing commitment of funding.

Ms Bennett yesterday told Parliament the study was facing a shortfall of $97 million over the next 25 years.

"I am sure that Labour members might like to go out and promise that sort of funding, but members on this side of the House will be taking it as it comes."

While there was no specific allocation of money for the study from MSD in this year's Budget, "no funding decisions have been made for the 2012 Budget", Ms Bennett said.