New Zealand has made global headlines in UK newspaper The Guardian for the number of families living below the poverty line in a developed country.

LISTEN ABOVE: Dr Hirini Kaa spoke to Newstalk ZB

Dr Hirini Kaa of the University of Auckland said New Zealand is perceived as a wealthy country, but we also have an inequality of wealth that's not so often spoken about.

He said there are large segments of society who have lost hope and the ability to achieve their potential because they can't take part in the great New Zealand dream.

"It's so unnecessary. Especially on the scale that it's own. We are a wealthy country by global standards. We have the ability as a society to address these issues fairly quickly, if we had the political will."

Dr Kaa said it's now a myth that New Zealand is a fair, egalitarian society.

He said there are systemic obstacles in place preventing children and families from achieving their potential.

"So that's definitely harsh. The way we treat poor people as if it's their fault they're born into poverty. Like it's their fault they are not able to reach their potential, when actually it's the system that we put in front of them."

Dr Kaa said our lack of compassion and empathy towards the most vulnerable is very sad.