WHEN THE INVISIBLE HAND ROCKS
THE CRADLE: NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN
IN A TIME OF CHANGE

This paper investigates the impact of economic and social reforms in New
Zealand since the mid-1980s on the well-being of children. These reforms
were among the most sweeping in scope and scale in any industrialized
democracy. Their impact has not been systematically monitored by
government. The paper outlines the reforms and associated changes in the
situation of New Zealand children.
The reforms have not led to an overall improvement in the well-being of
children. There has been widening inequality between ethnic and income
groups which has left many Mäori and Pacific children, and children from
one parent and poorer families, relatively worse off.

www.unicef-icdc.it/publications/pdf/iwp93.pdf