The coalition government’s cuts to social services are leading to continued hardship for tens of thousands of New Zealanders, The Salvation Army says.
The charity says it can not keep up with demand. In the first six months of this year alone, it has provided food assistance to more than 60,000 New Zealanders.
This includes for increasing numbers of needy in Mid Canterbury. The latest figures available for the district are for January to May this year.
The number of times food assistance was provided over these five months increased to 253 this year, up from 204 last year. The number of people in the district being helped with food assistance in the last two months increased substantially – April 2023 was 89, this year it’s 121; May 2023 was 116, this year it’s 168.
National director of community ministries Jono Bell spoke about the issue as the charity launches its Winter Appeal this month.
Bell said inflation, changes to social support, and housing insecurity had created the perfect storm for poverty.
‘‘These complex issues impacting people’s wellbeing, along with government decisions, have led to increased hardship for tens of thousands of New Zealanders. People on the lowest incomes are not getting the increases in income to keep pace with rising expenses,’’ Bell said.
“And the harsh reality is that we don’t have enough funds to service the need we’re seeing on the front line.”
The Salvation Army has had to cut its food response by 25 per cent across the country from July 1, as it does not have the funds to keep sustaining the demand.
More information about the Winter Appeal, including how to donate, is available at salvationarmy.org.nz/winterappeal.
