Some pet owners are being forced to choose between feeding themselves or their animals, as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. There has been an increasing number of dogs being surrendered to rescues – which are already at capacity – as owners find they can not afford food of vet bills. Tyra Basilicata Read more
Posts Tagged ‘cost of living’
Demand soars for dog foodbank: ‘Clients are feeding their dog instead of themselves’
Monday, April 22nd, 2024State of the Nation – some successes but escalating challenges too
Thursday, February 15th, 2024
In the midst of the country’s escalating cost-of-living crisis, the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2024 report spotlights the growing socio-economic challenges confronting New Zealanders. The report, Ngā Tukunga Iho – The Things We Inherit, offers an annual assessment of the country’s social progress – this year especially – children and youth housing crime Read more
Vinnies Healthy Homes programme helps with cost of living
Thursday, February 8th, 2024
A beacon of hope, Healthy homes, shines for Waikato families grappling with the escalating cost of living. The groundbreaking move is an initiative of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, affectionately known as Vinnies. The innovative initiative programme promises to arm residents with strategies to save approximately $1000 annually on power bills. Healthy Homes Read more
People spending 50 weeks on average in Upper Hutt emergency housing
Monday, August 28th, 2023People are spending nearly a year living in emergency housing facilities in Upper Hutt as sky-high rentals, rising house prices and cost of living issues continue to bite. Figures obtained from a written Parliamentary Question from National’s Chris Bishop paint a worsening picture across much of the lower and central North Island for those seeking Read more
Principals get creative to avoid ‘cost of learning’ impact on attendance
Thursday, February 9th, 2023School principals across the country are having to get creative to make sure kids are in class as back-to-school costs hit families. As prices rise on the supermarket shelves and at the petrol pump, the costs of sending tamariki to school has taken a toll on many families. In Rotorua, Western Heights Primary School principal Read more
Worst in 44 years: Truancy crisis inflamed by increasing poverty, educators say
Monday, June 27th, 2022Truancy is increasing. The rising cost of living is a major barrier keeping children from getting past school doors, says an Auckland principal. “We’re going to families whose kids aren’t attending, and asking: ‘What can we do to help your son or daughter to get back to school?’” said Wendy Esera, principal at Henderson Intermediate. Read more
Beneficiaries owe record $2.1 billion to Govt as cost of living soars
Monday, June 13th, 2022Low income New Zealanders now owe more than $2.1 billion to the Ministry of Social Development as they continue to have to borrow money to survive. The latest figures show beneficiaries owe $200 million more than the same time last year. In this year’s Budget, the Government gave those over 18 and earning $70,000 or Read more
Caritas reminds Government to address responsibilities
Thursday, April 28th, 2022
Against a backdrop of high inflation, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is reminding the Government to address its responsibilities to tackle ongoing crises in housing, climate change and underlying inequality that worsen outcomes for the poor. It made the comments in its submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee about the Budget Policy Statement 2022. Inequality Read more
Study finds families locked in poverty
Monday, April 4th, 2022
Families locked in poverty will stay that way despite the 1 April benefit increases, a new study by the Fairer Future Collaboration discovered. Fairer Future Collaboration spokesperson Brooke Pao Stanley, of Auckland Action Against Poverty, says it’s time for the Government to “level up” income support so everyone can live with dignity. Poverty was forcing Read more
Budget harder for low income households
Monday, October 1st, 2018
The price of crude oil has risen sharply. It will increase the cost of living, joining a range of other unavoidable purchases. For households on lower incomes, the weekly budget just got much harder. It is a good time to look closely at household budgets and seek help if the budget doesn’t balance. International crude Read more