Poverty
Three jobs but still struggling financially
A Porirua couple who work almost 80 hours a week still struggle to afford food for their two young children. Audio
Hunger, homelessness new normal for NZ
Hunger and homelessness are being called "the new normal" for increasing numbers of New Zealanders by the Council of Christian Social Services. Audio
Poverty NZ's 'new normal' - report
The government is dumping responsibility for desperate people on charities, say New Zealand's Christian social services.
Māori home ownership falling behind
New statistics reveal Māori home ownership has plummeted in the past 27 years, with the rate in some parts of the North Island dropping by as much as 40 percent.
Families in Nelson struggling to make ends meet
Local agencies in Nelson, from the Nelson Food Bank to the Salvation Army, are reporting increasing cases of hardship among a wider range of families. Audio
Can a late harvest help the hungry?
Every year in New Zealand more than $800 million worth of good food goes to waste while families in need go without. At a time when lines for food banks seem to be growing longer, what can be done to… Audio
Government won't wipe Work and Income motel debts
Wiping the debt of people who have been staying in motels for emergency accommodation would not be fair to others in the system, the Social Development Minister says. Audio
Linda Tirado - Down and Out in Utah and Washington DC
In her book Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America Linda Tirado writes eloquently of the millions of people in her home country – the US – who work hard, yet still struggle. She knows because she… Audio
Homelessness debate: 'I feel ashamed of what our country is like'
An Auckland man who spent six months living in his car wants to know why some New Zealanders are left living in poverty.
Auckland marae opens doors to homeless
An Auckland marae is opening its doors to homeless families, as the Housing Minister blames record population growth in the region for the city's housing problem.
Work and Income advice 'passing the buck' - homeless mum
A Christchurch mother living in her car says Work and Income still can't help her, after the Social Housing Minister told her to go to the agency.
Homeless mum: 'I just sleep in the car'
Julie says she's been forced to sleep many nights in a car and struggles to find places for her children to stay each night. Audio
Living Wage gaining momentum in Nelson
Momentum is building in Nelson for a campaign to call employers to pay the Living Wage of just under $20 an hour.
Homeless mum: 'It's pretty scary at night'
A Christchurch mother who left her home because of domestic violence and is now sleeping in her car says the system has failed her.
Social Housing minister responds to criticism on homelessness
Advocates for the homeless say without adequate data on the number of homeless people in New Zealand, support services will continue to struggle without guidance from the government. Audio
Better homeless data needed to drive better public policy decisions.
Guyon Espiner talks to Max Rashbrooke, who researches and writes on inequality and the founder of the Gimme Shelter campaign, James Crow. Audio
Homeless and hoping no one comes into the car
Advocates for the homeless say the country has to get a grip on the true number of homeless if struggling support services are going to have a hope of helping them. Audio
Homeless borrow thousands for motels
Homeless people are finding themselves thousands of dollars in debt to Work and Income for money loaned to them to stay in motels. Audio
State home tenant charged over meth use
A former Christchurch tenant has been ordered to pay nearly $20,000 after using methamphetamine in a state house.
Auckland may fine beggars
Auckland councillors are considering fining beggars for misbehaving in the city streets - but first they'll have to beg the government for the power to do it.