Vine Quick Reads: 6 March 2026

Vine Quick Reads: 6 March 2026

Welcome to our Quick Reads format. Each week we share selected news bites relevant to family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa.

This week we continue our new ‘Spotlight On’ feature. Each week for the next few months the Spotlight will shine on a different area of our website. We hope you will take a moment to learn more about the resources available through our mahi at Vine.

Stats NZ release new child poverty statistics

Tatauranga Aotearoa | Stats NZ has released their child poverty statistics for the year ending June 2025, including a summary of key findings alongside downloadable data tables. Mana Mokopuna | Children’s Commissioner has responded to the findings: 47,000 more children in hardship since 2022: a sobering backdrop to New Zealand Children’s Day. See also Te Ao Māori News and 1News.

New Violent Crimes data from New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey

Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice has released the Violent Crime October 2025 Factsheet (2026) with accompanying data tables. They provide estimates of the number of victims of violent offences for the 12-month period leading up to October 2025.

New Growing Up in New Zealand snapshot reports on mental health and education released

Growing Up in New Zealand (GuiNZ) has released two new ‘Now We Are 15’ snapshot reports on Education and Mental Health and Wellbeing. The reports’ key findings include:

• School experience and mental health are closely linked
• Discrimination undermines both learning and wellbeing
• Disabled young people face additional barriers
• Connection – strong friendships, cultural connection and school support – matter and are linked to better wellbeing and positive school experiences

For a summary of the reports’ findings, see GuiNZ’s media release: School experience plays a critical role in teen mental health, new Growing Up in New Zealand findings show.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission release new data summaries on mental health and addiction

Te Hiringa Mahara | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission have released two new data summaries: Access to mental health and addiction services (2026) and Mental health and substance use data summary: Key findings from the NZ Health Survey 2024/2025 (2026). For an overview of the key findings, see the Commission’s media release: Young people are missing out on access to mental health services. See more from RNZ and Waatea News.

Stats NZ consultation on the use of fees and fines to support their mandatory data requests

Tatauranga Aotearoa | Stats NZ is seeking feedback on the introduction of an infringement scheme to support its mandatory data requests. Stats NZ is preparing to introduce an infringement scheme that which would introduce fees and fines. This proposal seeks to increase the number of tools available to Stats NZ to encourage compliance with their mandatory requests. At present, Stats NZ’s only available response to deliberate non-compliance is prosecution. Consultation closes Monday 6 April 2026.