A clearer definition of poverty is being seen as the first step in the battle to tackle the problem.

Maxim Institute, a conservative think tank, has released a paper about poverty.

It calls for New Zealanders to come up with a "basket of goods" - bare necessities a person needs to live a healthy life.

The paper's author, Kieran Madden, says a person without access to those necessities could then be defined as living in poverty.

"We think a clearer definition will lead to clearer measures which will lead to better outcomes for New Zealanders who are struggling."

Kieran Madden says poverty is different for different people, so a one-size-fits all approach doesn't work.