Cries for help for Northland's children.
Northland Age editor Peter Jackson says National and Labour's education policies released last week completely ignore those with the biggest need.
He said tertiary students don't need help nearly as much as kids with parents who are addicts.
Mr Jackson told Rachel Smalley the government should be uplifting these children who are on a fast-track to prison.
"They're a problem for their schools, they're a problem for their fellow pupils. When they leave school they leave basically with nothing and with horrific problems that have never been addressed."
Jackson said it's upsetting no one's talking about the children most likely to become troubled adults.
"When kids are five, six, seven, it's a very important time in their life and if they get behind the eight-ball then they'll stay behind it for the rest of their lives".
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER JACKSON SPEAKS WITH RACHEL SMALLEY
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