It has come at a time when the foodbank has experienced a 145% overall increase in people requiring a full week of food support as opposed to four days, since last year.
In terms of superannuitants, Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin said: “We believe everyone has the right to age with dignity.
“Everyday living costs such as accommodation, insurance, medical costs, power, car expenses, water and council rates generally take up the majority of someone’s pension, leaving nothing to purchase food.”
The foodbank, as part of Super Support, provided 931 grocery packs over the past year to households reliant on national superannuation.
“This is a real situation for many of our most precious people who never expected to find themselves in this situation. It feels very unfair and unkind.”
Goodwin told the Bay of Plenty Times that more than 1300 superannuitants have needed food support since Super Support began. Some of these people live on their own, some are raising grandchildren or extended whānau.
“There was a notable increase in requests for grocery support once we launched the Super Support project.”
The number of superannuitants needing Super Support rose 69% by the end of 2023, and a further 71% in 2024.
“It is just super tough to survive on such a limited income.”
Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell
Tauranga Community Foodbank refers appropriate people needing food support to a Super Support community worker.
“Some people are unable to access supermarkets due to limited mobility and pay higher prices when shopping at the local dairy,” Goodwin said.
The foodbank also meets with grandparents who take on the day-to-day care of young children, stretching their budget “beyond their means”.
Goodwin said everyone’s situation was unique, and having a collaborative multi-agency approach made “so much sense”.
“Imagine finding it impossible to make ends meet and put food on the table. Together, we can do more to help people get the support they need.”
The service initially ran for six months, focusing on basic needs, with pre-cooked meals and basic pantry supplies.
Volunteers and staff were alarmed by the level of demand, and a decision was made to expand the programme.
“The beauty of this project is that care is at the heart of it,” Goodwin said.
Whenever a foodbank referral is generated for someone over 65, a referral is also sent to Super Support social worker Melissa Laurent from Good Neighbour.
She checks in on overall wellbeing and connects clients to other support where necessary.
Laurent said the needs that were most visible at the moment remained largely the same.
“Many of our older community members are struggling with the housing and cost of living, particularly as many are living on their own.”
Super Support was the winner of the 2025 Best Collaboration Award (collaboration between Here to Help U, Tauranga Community Foodbank, Good Neighbour, Age Concern and Bay Financial Mentors). Photo / Supplied
According to Stats NZ, the cost of living for all households increased by 2.4% in the 12 months to September.
Laurent said food insecurity was a common challenge, and in the second week of the pension payment cycle, she found people living on as little as a loaf of bread.
“With rises in costs but incomes not rising, often the first thing to be cut back on is food.”
She said older people were often more reluctant to ask for help.
“So when they do, it is more important that we respond in a practical and compassionate way.”
Tauranga City Council head of community outcomes and emergency management Paula Naude said Super Support had met community needs.
“Ensuring older people aren’t facing challenges alone and have reliable access to nutritious meals, meaningful connections and essential support services.”
Naude said Tauranga Community Foodbank brought its knowledge, expertise, experience and resources to the programme.
“They are well placed to understand and address the complex challenges faced by our lower-income, older community through the work they do every day.”
To access Super Support, people can complete an online form or contact Here to Help U on 0800 568 273. A voicemail message must be left, and a connector will phone back the same day to arrange a food delivery.
Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.