Nearly one in three New Zealand households struggled to afford food in the past year and many are too ashamed to seek help, new research from the New Zealand Food Network shows.
The organisation’s first-ever “hunger monitor”, released yesterday, surveyed 3000 people across the motu and found 33% of households experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months.
Even among full-time workers, 30% reported they couldn’t always afford enough food. NZ Food Network says this reflects the rising cost of living pushing even steady earners to the edge.
The research also found 68% of what are known as “food insecure” households were experiencing it for the first time this year, showing how rapidly the problem has intensified.
NZ Food Network chief executive Gavin Findlay said the findings confirm what frontline food hubs have been seeing for years.
“Food insecurity isn’t isolated to any one group - it’s pervasive,” he says.
“Every day, our hubs see hard-working people who never thought they’d need support, double-income families who can’t keep up with costs, and everyone in between.”
Shame keeps people away from support
Despite the growing need, many New Zealanders avoid reaching out for help. Nearly half (49%) of people experiencing trouble buying enough food said shame or embarrassment was a key barrier to seeking support.
Others said they held back because they believed others needed help more (43%), or they weren’t sure they were eligible (35%).
Findlay says this reluctance means many families are struggling silently.
“There’s long been a stigma around food insecurity in Aotearoa. But the reality is that people are facing circumstances beyond their control – and stigma only keeps them in hardship longer.”
Impact felt across incomes, regions and communities
Low-income households were the most likely to report food insecurity (48%). But the survey shows the issue cuts across economic lines, with 30% of medium-income earners and even 12% of high-income earners unable to afford enough food.
Food insecurity was also widespread across ethnic groups. Around two‑thirds of Pākehā (68%), Asian (66%) and Māori (64%) respondents experiencing food insecurity said this was their first year facing it.
Farmers watch as the conflict hikes fuel prices impacting the costs of getting to market. (Source: 1News)
That figure rose to 73% for Pasifika people, the highest of any group.
While rural communities face obvious access barriers, urban centres like Wellington (72%) and Auckland (71%) reported the same levels of first‑time food insecurity as regions like the West Coast (71%) and Nelson–Tasman–Marlborough (70%).
The squeeze reflects the broader financial pressure on households. Nearly a third (32%) of all respondents said they found it difficult or very difficult to live on their current income. At the same time the latest Food Price Index recorded its sharpest monthly rise in four years.
Demand growing faster than resources
Food hubs and charities across the country are feeling the strain.
A quarter of severely food insecure households said the support they receive still doesn’t meet their needs.
Susie Robertson, chief executive of Wellington’s Kaibosh Food Rescue, said food insecurity has reached a “critical” level.
“We’re grateful for partnerships across the sector, but it’s getting harder to keep up as budgets tighten on all sides.”
Findlay agrees, saying demand is rising faster than the sector’s capacity.
“Addressing hunger at this scale requires sustained investment,” he said. “This is a shared challenge and we can’t do it alone.”
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