Plunged in poverty: Hardship rising in the South

Social service providers working with Southland’s most vulnerable have said there's been a concerning uptick in people doing it tough.

Food distributions jumping at local schools, severe weather displacing rough sleepers, and a stretched middle class were just some of the issues at play.

Salvation Army Invercargill community ministries manager Cathy Strong said it was “shocking” to see the number of new families coming through their doors, which included a bump in the middle-income demographic.

Over a one-week period earlier this month, more than 30 new families reached out for help.

“So, I found it quite a sad shift, to see how much more the community is hurting. I mean they were hurting before, but now it’s even escalated further than that.”

Strong said rising rent seemed to be an annual issue, and increased power costs over winter were problematic.

“They’re robbing Peter to pay Paul, and it’s finally caught up with them and so they’re coming asking for help.”

Homelessness was also an issue in the city with the Salvation Army estimating around 50-60 people fit that category, including those living in cars.

Invercargill City Council this year delayed a cost-cutting decision to close a community shower used by the homeless as other alternatives couldn't be found.

Recent extreme weather had proven problematic for people living in places like Queens Park and Thomsons Bush, Salvation Army major Murray Sanson explained.

“It affected a lot of our homeless ones because there were certain shelters the wind just whipped around."

Sanson indicated life was getting harder for homeless around the country, noting issues in Tauranga and Rotorua closing emergency housing.

He also criticised banks for not doing more to support people, saying the economy was "geared up against the poor".

"To try and reform society (so) that we don't have homeless, it's going to mean that people (have) got to be a lot less selfish."

The issue of homelessness reared its head at Invercargill City Council this year when a decision was made to close one of the only facilities available to people living rough.

In May, the council voted to close the Wachner Pl toilet and shower facility to save costs, on the proviso alternative locations were explored.

Council group manager Trudie Hurst said homelessness was a diverse term which covered a broad range of experiences, and it was difficult to get an accurate estimate of how many there were in the community.

The council regularly participated with the Southland Community Housing Network which had discussed an emergency night shelter in the city, she said.

Closure of the Wachner Pl facility was ultimately delayed, and the council is working on a contract to continue operating it until March 31, 2026.

KidsCan founder and chief executive Dame Julie Chapman said the cost of living struggle was stretching into middle income households as well.

More children were going without the basics, she said.

“For households everywhere there’s little to no buffer against unexpected bills or price rises.”

In Invercargill and wider Southland, there had been a 60% increase in food distributed to schools since the start of the year, coming in at almost 8 tonnes.

The need for jackets in the region had risen by 47% compared to last year.

Chapman’s organisation was also witnessing a nationwide issue which she described as “awful and heartbreaking” – children taking turns to share shoes.

KidsCan had 58 schools on its national waitlist, meaning there were 10,000 children who still needed support.

“For many people, they’re just a payday away from being plunged into poverty,” Chapman said.

In discussing the city's most vulnerable, Strong and Sanson highlighted the nuance of owning a pet.

Sanson said some people couldn’t get a rental property because they had a dog but would rather live in a car than give up that companionship.

“And it’s a huge challenge for them to say no to their animal just so they can get a roof over their head.”

Often, it was pets that had saved people, Strong added.

“Their pets haven’t failed them, and they’ve been loyal and they’ve stuck with them. They’ve listened. They’ve heard.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air