Let’s Support, Not Stigmatise, People Living On Struggle Street

Wednesday, 17 December 2025, 8:12 pm

The following is a Press Release from SociaLink

"The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has recently released a report based on their interactions with people seeking help, revealing a growing crisis affecting people from all walks of life. The “Mana Āki - Dignity for All” report includes employed and unemployed, young and old, Māori, Pacific Peoples, and New Zealand Europeans, all struggling to meet basic living costs and access the support they are legally entitled to.

The report largely attributes this to government policies and law changes such as benefit sanctions, tighter emergency housing criteria, and cuts to community services.

Liz Davies, Chief Executive of SociaLink, an organisation supporting social services and community organisations, says she is hearing anecdotally that the report’s findings reflect what is happening locally in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.

Some people support benefit levels below the poverty line, stricter eligibility criteria, or sanctions for a variety of reasons. They may believe that those in hardship have made poor choices and therefore deserve their situation. Others may not want tax dollars going to people they see as not helping themselves, may have never experienced financial struggles, or may not know anyone facing hardship and so lack personal experience of these challenges.

The vast majority of people who seek government support are struggling through no fault of their own, losing jobs, being underemployed, or becoming unwell, and find themselves needing support to survive.

Penalising the poor and stigmatising people on low incomes as lazy or incapable ignores the fact that benefits are set below the poverty line. The gap between typical benefits and essential living costs often ranges from $100 to $200 a week, forcing many into debt and compounding stress. Even careful budgeting cannot close this gap, and going into debt makes it harder for people to regain financial stability.

New Zealanders are world-renowned for our charitable giving and volunteering, and many of us already donate money or time. We can channel that same kindness and compassion into advocating for government action to ensure everyone struggling has access to housing, food, electricity, and other basic essentials."

Read the Citizen's Advice Burueau's report Mana Āki - Dignity for All A CAB spotlight report revealing the failures of welfare support, and the steps needed to ensure dignity and thriving communities here

Peter Malcolm