South Auckland’s food banks brace for a surge in demand

With the extension of alert level three set to stretch many South Auckland families even further, Justin Latif reports on how organisations are preparing to help feed those most in need. Food banks across South Auckland are scrambling to get themselves ready for an expected surge in demand, following Friday’s announcement that the level three … Read more

Covid-19 has thrown food insecurity into sharp relief. Let’s use it as an opportunity

The current crisis has rendered visible challenges that have been simmering in the background long before the country went into lockdown, writes Chris Farrelly of the Auckland City Mission. Covid-19 presents new and unfamiliar territory for many of us in our day-to-day realities. Be it managing childcare in the home office, or adjusting to time … Read more

We need ‘urgent and radical action’: The Salvation Army’s latest report

The Salvation Army has issued its second Covid-19 monitoring report, urging the government to take action. A month ago, The Salvation Army began monitoring the effects of Covid-19 on vulnerable New Zealanders. Today, the organisation has come to the conclusion that an emerging “Covid-19 underclass” needs urgent and radical government intervention to prevent further distress. … Read more

Food insecurity for Māori is getting worse. Here are some ways we can all help

Access to healthy food is a big issue for Māori whānau during the Covid-19 crisis. Dr Geoff Kira (Ngāpuhi), a public health senior lecturer at Massey University’s School of Health Sciences, says Māori need Māori solutions at times like this, and he has some suggestions. On March 25, 2020, the United Nations System Standing Committee … Read more

The Local Hero saving food from landfill to fight poverty and climate change

Last week Nick Loosley, founder of food waste and food poverty charity Everybody Eats, was named the 2020 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year. He talked to Alex Braae about how a more sustainable approach to our food system can help feed those in need.  There’s a theme of reconnection that runs through … Read more