By calculating the weekly deficit in people’s budgets, a new report shows how those receiving benefits or working for minimum wage often can’t pay for food after the cost of fixed expenses.   

A recent report from Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger Collective exposes the fact that, despite New Zealand’s being a major food-producing nation, around 15-20% of the population are unable to afford healthy food. This is technically known as being in moderate or severe ‘food insecurity’ or ‘food poverty’.

As benefit recipient numbers hit new records, there is a warning that many households relying on JobSeeker are not able to cover their basic needs.

Ka Mākona, a new report from the Zero Hunger Collective, identifies how much of a budget surplus households have left after paying for housing, transport, food and utilities.

It shows that, in every part of the country and with every type of household modelled, someone on JobSeeker would have a budget deficit.

Ka Mākona provides a snapshot of the income and expenses of low-income households in urban and regional centres across Aotearoa. This snapshot helps to create an understanding of the root causes of food-related poverty for whānau and encourages us all into conversation and action for change.

A vision for a food-secure Aotearoa.

Poverty is the cause of food insecurity.

Some of the financial help being handed out to struggling Kiwis is actually keeping them poor.