17% of Kiwis struggle to feed themselves

More NZers struggle for food - OECD

An international report on social inequality shows an increasing number of New Zealanders are struggling to afford food.

Radio NZ

20 March, 2014

The OECD report, on how the world's 34 richest countries are faring since 2007, shows the proportion of New Zealanders who struggle to keep food on the table has risen from 10 percent to 17 percent.

The reports shows that compared to other rich nations New Zealand has an above average annual disposable income but despite that more New Zealanders can't afford basics such as food.

The Salvation Army says demand for its food banks nationwide was at an all-time high last year, when it gave out 56,000 food parcels.

It says, worryingly, it's seeing a pattern where the same families keep coming back.

The Child Poverty Action group says food is one of the last thing people prioritise when money is tight because accommodation and utilities bills cannot wait