Within two decades, New Zealand has gone from one of the most equal countries in the world to one of the most unequal in the OECD. Income inequality is the extent to which income is distributed unevenly in a country. The wider the gap between the rich and the poor, the unhealthier it is for everyone.

Closer Together Whakatata Mai is a project of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS). It is aimed at building a New Zealand where the gap between rich and poor is getting closer together, not wider apart.  Whakatata Mai publicity material claims reducing inequality in New Zealand could help make the following changes:

• 4000 fewer prisoners
• 100 fewer infant mortalities
• 2000 fewer teenage pregnancies
• 1500 fewer 15yr olds with low reading and maths literacy
• Fewer cases of diabetes and heart disease
• Reduced levels of depression and other mental illness
• Fewer teenage suicides

NZCCSS plans to increase campaign visibility in October-November, in the lead-up to New Zealand’s general election. Show your support by signing up at www.closertogether.org.nz or following on Twitter and Facebook.