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Download AudioGroups working with the poor say attachment orders are causing serious harm to struggling whānau.
A 2014 change by the previous National Government allowed money to be taken from wages and benefits to pay debts without conducting a means test.
Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp, the chief executive of Manurewa Marae, says in many cases it’s fines or debts to government agencies – and there are better ways to deal with it.
“Here in Tāmaki you’ve got partners across Te Pae Herenga o Tamaki and Whānau Ora who could find other ways, a more positive way of trying to reduce debt, maybe giving back to your local marae, giving a few hours coming down to help at the marae, do some gardening, maybe there’s a programme there that can manaaki whānau in a way rather than taking more money out of their benefit they are already struggling to keep,” she says.
Ms Kemp says the cost of living crisis is hitting particularly hard in urban areas such as Tāmaki Makaurau.
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