#national: Hunger Monitor Shows Sharp Rise in Food Insecurity Across Aotearoa

A new Hunger Monitor report has revealed a significant increase in food insecurity across Aotearoa, highlighting the growing number of households struggling to afford enough kai amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

The report shows demand for food support has surged over the past year, with organisations providing food assistance reporting a 49 percent increase in demand during the 2025 financial year. By the start of 2026, services were already supporting around 20 percent more people than during the same period the year before.

The findings reflect mounting pressure on whānau facing rising food prices, housing costs and other living expenses. Food support providers say many of those seeking help are doing so for the first time, suggesting the financial strain is spreading beyond households traditionally reliant on assistance.

Community organisations say the growing need is being felt nationwide, with food banks and social services seeing more people turning up for help to put meals on the table. The report indicates that economic pressures are pushing increasing numbers of families into situations where they must rely on emergency food parcels and community support.

The issue is particularly concerning for children and young people. Earlier research has shown that food insecurity affects a significant proportion of households with tamariki, with Māori and Pacific children disproportionately impacted by hardship and limited access to nutritious food.

The Hunger Monitor findings reinforce concerns that food insecurity is becoming a structural issue rather than a short-term crisis. Community advocates say the increasing reliance on food support is a sign that many families’ incomes are not keeping pace with the rising cost of living.

The report calls for stronger action to address the underlying causes of food insecurity, including housing costs, income adequacy and the affordability of healthy food. Support organisations say without broader economic and policy changes, demand for food support services is likely to continue rising.

For many communities, particularly those already facing socio-economic challenges, the growing hunger crisis is a reminder that ensuring every whānau has access to affordable and healthy food remains one of the country’s most pressing social issues.