Poverty levels 'critical' - Sallies

The Salvation Army is seeing an increase in people needed help with basic daily living needs. File photo.

The cost of living in New Zealand is the cause of a new wave of poverty, say senior officers from The Salvation Army.

Last year, The Salvation Army saw 336 new families every week, raising alarm and putting strain on the ability to keep up with demand.

Rents, petrol prices and basic food costs continue to rise, with those with the most pressing needs worst affected, says head of welfare services Major Pam Waugh.

"It's fast becoming a national crisis."

In the past calendar year, 60 per cent of families requesting help with basics from the Army were new to the organisation - an average of 336 families every week.

"These are people who have never before used our services, and part of the 120,000 New Zealanders we already help every year," says Pam.

Compounding this, one in five New Zealand children live in poverty and half of them-about 100,000 children-live in severe poverty, meaning they lack the basics required to grow up safe, healthy and happy.

Pam says there are misconceptions about people living in poverty in this country - that they are all on benefits, have large families and are often solo parents - but the stats disprove this misunderstanding.

"In 40 per cent of families in poverty in New Zealand, at least one person is in full time employment."

Pam says poverty in New Zealand is often behind closed doors, which makes it not always easy to see.

"We haven't seen this level of need since the recession. We are not a third world nation, but we have the highest levels of homelessness in the OECD.

"The trouble is we're not always confronted with this poverty. Families may not look hungry, but 40 per cent of Kiwi families skip meals or cut back on food, because they can't afford enough for the week.”

The Salvation Army is asking New Zealanders to join it in helping to end poverty for these families by supporting its annual Red Shield Appeal starting next week.

"We see these people, we hear their stories and we help them to make meaningful change. Giving to the Red Shield Appeal is a way to directly help these families thrive," Major Waugh says.

To support The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal:

- Visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz

- Give to a Salvation Army street collector between 30 April - 6 May

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8 comments

Poverty is an opinion?

Posted on 24-04-2018 11:09 | By MISS ADVENTURE

Truth is however that the only reason there is maybe... poverty is because of bad decisions by adults. This covers: eduction, decisions made, lifestyle choices and even a desire to be unemploable and worst of all that these "BAD-AS" decision collminate with children being brought into this world without any means to provide or support them. The result is the hopeless and inept breed then expect all others to provide what they "want" (bludge) off everyone else. The level of behaviour is unacceptable, it simply create a leech like part of society who for reasons entire of self interest expect other to work and pay for what they want. A shocker totally!


Poverty is an excuse

Posted on 24-04-2018 11:11 | By MISS ADVENTURE

To seek for free something that others have earned and except to be given that for nothing.


@MISS ADVENTURE

Posted on 24-04-2018 13:14 | By morepork

Your criticisms are not only unnecessarily harsh, they are misinformed. I know something about real poverty, having been to Bangla Desh and lived in Asia. I hope we NEVER see people living in packing cases while their children starve to death. But that doesn't mean that poverty does not exist here. It is easy to criticize the decisions people make when you are typing your criticism on a computer in a warm room. People DO make bad decisions; Human Beings are imperfect creatures. That's a reality. And there will always be some who want to rort the system. Does that mean we should abandon EVERYONE who finds themselves in a bad situation? (It's their own fault, right?) The Salvation Army do a fantastic job of looking at this on a case by case basis. They need and deserve our support. When you help others, you are really helping yourself.


Avr

Posted on 24-04-2018 14:20 | By Anton

First problem is accomodation under National far to many immigrants were let in,so house prices are soaring.average people have a $ 200.000.- to high mortgage due housing shortage.Then the food prices I was back in Europe 15 years ago and food prices were expensive there for me, but they earn more.Now it is the other way around, it is expensive here and cheap there,while they still earn more then here. (Average).Not every one is clever enough to sort things out. NZ living wages are $20,- an hour, but there are to many who dont get that. Minimum wages are now $ 16,50 when I am right.


The poverty levels now are basically caused by ONE thing.....

Posted on 24-04-2018 20:32 | By Bruja

GREED! Pure and simple, GREED. Rental charges. Beginning and end. 1 and 2 bedroom houses at $300+ per week. 3 and 4 bedroom houses at $400+ . Caravans being rented for $200+ per week. Single rooms for $150+ per week. KIWIS robbing other Kiwis. KIWIS not caring that other Kiwis can't eat decent food or keep themselves warm. THAT'S THE DISGUSTING TRUTH!!! Kiwis rubbing their hands in glee at all their disgusting profits while other Kiwis starve and freeze. This is NOT New Zealand!!! This is NOT Kiwi. :(


@ Miss Adventure....can I ask....2 simple questions......

Posted on 24-04-2018 20:36 | By Bruja

How long have you lived in New Zealand and where did you come from before you came here?


Miss Adventure

Posted on 25-04-2018 10:30 | By kinakat

I have come to the conclusion! You like to cause trouble. I think you deserve a giant spoon to help you stir you're you know what!


@ Bruja

Posted on 25-04-2018 10:31 | By BennyBenson

You partially right about Greed, but I don't believe it is the average middle class kiwi's that are the greedy ones. Sure people may be charging what seems like high rents but what is driving that? The same people are paying high prices to buy a house or rental, pay their own mortgages, rising rates, taxes, high living costs and wages in NZ are pretty pathetic for most considering the cost of living.


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