A report into the wellbeing of children in Taranaki has found that, despite the region's relative wealth, a significant proportion of children there are living in poverty.
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The TSB Community Trust report says up to 23 percent - or about 6300 children - in the region are growing up in poverty, achieving less in education and are disproportionately affected by poor health.
The children live predominantly in rural towns and in a few suburbs in New Plymouth.
While overall the region is relatively prosperous, the report said there were pockets of deprivation and that Māori, families with very young children, children in low-income families and children of sole parent families were particularly vulnerable.
TSB Community Trust chief executive Maria Ramsay said the report would allow it to more accurately target the $7.5 million it makes in grants each year.