Reports released to Radio New Zealand this week show the Ministry of Social Development made recommendations to the Government to cap funding in the fight against poverty.
Dr Tracey McIntosh, the co-chair on the Children's Commissioner's Expert Advisory Group says she is surprised and disappointed, and wants more action taken.
It's a major problem not easily remedied, prevalent in many Māori families and one expert on poverty is saying Ministry officials have it all wrong.
Dr Tracey McIntosh was instrumental in pulling together the Children's Commission report into child poverty.
Te Kāea understands that the Ministry of Social Development made recommendations to the Government on that report, which included giving less money to poor families with older children and instead give more to those with young children.
McIntosh is aghast at the advice given by the Ministry, and says it runs contrary to the findings of the Green and White Papers released by the Ministry itself.
Despite all of that, McIntosh says the Government needs to act fast on this problem, and stemming of funding should be overlooked.