This annual report - Taranaki District Health Board

Income Inequality: Gini CoefficientIn New Zealand during 1982–2011, income inequality as measured by the Gini coefficient,was also higher after adjusting for housing costs. The most rapid rises in income inequalityalso occurred between the late 1980s and early 1990s. Using both the before and afterhousing cost measures, the Gini Coefficient declined between 2001 and 2007, a declinewhich Perry attributes to improving employment and the impact of the Working for Familiespackage. During 2009–2011 however, there was considerable volatility in the Ginicoefficient, which Perry attributes to the differing size and timing of the impact of the globalfinancial crisis and associated economic downturn on different parts of the incomedistribution. Again Perry notes it will take one or two more surveys to see where theinequality trend will settle after the impacts associated with the global financial crisis [8](Figure 3).Figure 3. Income Inequality in New Zealand as Assessed by the Gini Coefficient for the1982–2011 HES Years454035Gini Coefficient x10030252015105Gini Coefficient: After Housing CostsGini Coefficient: Before Housing Costs0198219841986198819901992199419961998200120042007HES YearSource: Perry 2012 [8] derived from Statistics NZ Household Economic Survey (HES) 1982–2011200920102011Local Policy Documents and Evidence-Based ReviewsRelevant to the Economic Environment for ChildrenTable 3 on Page 62 considers local policy documents and evidence-based reviews whichare relevant to the social policy environment and the socioeconomic determinants of childand youth health.Income Inequality - 53