More than half a million New Zealanders are now relying on food support each month through organisations partnered with the country’s largest surplus food distributor, yet the supply of available food is failing to keep pace with the escalating demand, new figures show.
A recent survey by the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN), a major national food rescue organisation, highlights the growing strain on community food services. Its latest bi-annual Food Security Snapshot reveals that its network of over 60 recipient Food Hubs provided food assistance to an average of over 500,000 individuals monthly between July and December 2024.
This represents a significant increase from the approximately 454,000 people supported monthly during the first half of the year.
While the volume of food distributed by these hubs saw a slight rise – reaching over 13 million kilograms in the latter half of 2024 compared to 12.3 million kilograms previously – the available stock levels have effectively plateaued relative to the burgeoning need.
The consequence, according to the NZFN report, is that Food Hubs nationwide are increasingly forced to reduce the size of food parcels and, in some cases, turn away new community organisations seeking supplies for their own clients.
Gavin Findlay, NZFN’s Chief Executive, said the findings confirm anecdotal reports of rapidly rising hardship.
“These findings highlight something that we have been hearing anecdotally for months: that the need for food support is climbing exponentially,” Mr Findlay stated. “More Kiwi families are turning to support services as financial strain means making some really difficult sacrifices.”
He noted that the survey period included the typically high-pressure holiday season, which adds extra expenses like gifts and hosting family, often proving “the breaking point for already stretched budgets.”
The survey also sheds light on who is seeking help. Consistently, Food Hubs report that nearly a third (30%) of those receiving assistance each month are first-time users. This points to food insecurity affecting a widening demographic, including employed individuals and dual-income households struggling to cover basic necessities.
This aligns with persistent cost-of-living pressures. Food prices were reported by Stats NZ to have increased by 2.4% in the 12 months to February 2025, contributing to financial stress.
The primary reasons cited by Food Hubs for people seeking help remain consistent: the rising cost of living was mentioned by 93% of hubs, followed by low household income (67%), unemployment (59%), and unexpected bills (51%).
Hubs also reported more specific challenges driving need, including overcrowded housing, struggles with addiction or mental health, significant debt, being declined for Work and Income support, or difficulties faced by recent immigrants.
“Times are tough for a whole variety of people these days,” said Amy Olsen, Manager at Waitara Foodbank Pātaka Kai in Taranaki. “There is no specific demographic for our foodbank users. People who have never used foodbank services before are finding themselves needing assistance.”
She emphasised the importance of external support: “Without the huge input of kai from NZFN we wouldn’t be able to meet our community needs as effectively or efficiently as we do now.”
NZFN supplies, on average, around 45% of the food distributed by its partner hubs, making it a crucial component of the national food security infrastructure. For 39% of these hubs, NZFN provides more than half their total stock.
“Thank you for all the kai you send to Northland,” said Trish King, Manager at Te Hiku Pātaka in Kaitaia, highlighting NZFN’s impact. “You don’t realise how much of a huge impact NZFN is making in [our recipient’s] lives.”
Mel King, General Manager at The Food Basket CHB in Waipukurau, echoed this sentiment: “NZFN has been a vital, anchoring part of our operations… We wouldn’t be able to do this urgent and important work without NZFN backing us up with good food.”
With demand continuing to outstrip supply, Mr Findlay issued an appeal for greater support from businesses and the public.
“If you’re a food business looking for a solution to your surplus, can donate some stock, or anyone able to support with financial donations… please get in touch with us,” he urged. “The need is only getting worse.”
