Poverty in New Zealand

Pacific people in NZ 'hardest hit' by recession

The Salvation Army says Pacific people in New Zealand have been more severely hit than anyone else by the global recession.

Radio NZ,

20 May, 2013

In a new report, More Than Churches, Rugby and Festivals, the Salvation Army says Pacific people now have the highest unemployment, the lowest incomes and a widening income gap that could mean they're left behind when the economy recovers.

The average income is $479 a week compared with $721 for non-Pacific adults, the report says. This is increase of just $2 in five years for Pacific adults, compared with $54 for everyone else.

One of the report's authors, Ronji Tanielu, the huge income gap and painfully slow growth in pay affects everything from housing, to problem debt and putting food on the table.

Mr Tanielu says there's been a big spike in demand from Pacific families for Salvation Army food parcels, budgeting advice and drug and alcohol addiction services.

Salvation Army youth adviser in West Auckland, Christina Fa'avae, says she sees the effects of financial problems every day.

"We're seeing a lot of young mums having to move into family garages, and homes where there's already overcrowding."

Ms Fa'avae says there is more demand at its food bank and for grants such as for school unforms.