“And we have pātaka kai we’re filling up regularly throughout the day.
“It’s only got busier and busier and the consistent messaging from staff is they’ve never seen the need this high.”
NZFN’s Hunger Monitor report, released on October 12, is a 120-page research piece delving into the state of food insecurity in Aotearoa.
The nationwide survey of 3000 Kiwis found households living in Waikato (36%), Northland (36%), and Manawatū-Whanganui (36%), were most likely to report facing insecurity across 2025 and 2026.
Thirty-seven per cent of Northland respondents reported experiencing food insecurity this year, and 24% experienced severe food insecurity, the report says.
Being severely food insecure is defined as: “reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake”.
Howan said the issue was a cost-of-living problem that could only be fixed by addressing low incomes and soaring prices.
“Incomes haven’t come up to meet any expense.
“We see every demographic, every type of person; employed full time who can’t pay the mortgage through to unemployed on a benefit looking for work.
“It’s hitting everyone at every age at every stage.
“Incomes need to go up or prices need to come down or a combination of both.”
Whakaora Kai manager Daniela Johnson said “more and more community groups” were reaching out for help to support those they work with.
The organisation already supplies food to the Whare Āwhina Community Cafe, Food For Life and Tikipunga Baptist Church, among other support providers.
People were making “tough choices” around paying essential household expenses and buying food, she said.
“It’s noticeable, the increase in people struggling to meet the daily cost of living.
“Food is one of the things you can juggle, you can’t negotiate fuel or rent or power.
“As the community is more stretched, people are making tough choices between ‘should we visit a friend or relative and spend it on fuel – or save that money for food.’”
Bald Angels Charitable Trust founder Therese Wickbom said she had noticed a “huge upturn” in the need for kai support.
The increase coincided with the Kerikeri-based Kairos Foodbank closing last year, she said.
“There is massive food insecurity.
“There always has been in my time here in this mahi, but in the last two years there’s been a marked increase.”
Whakaora Kai manager Daniela Johnson says people are making tough choices around paying essential household expenses, leaving food way down on the list.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) leads the Government’s response to food insecurity through its Food Secure Communities programme.
Established in 2020, the programme has invested more than $230 million in the community food sector.
In Northland in 2026/27, the programme funded three local community food providers, Far North Community Foodbank, Fresh Start 20/20 and 155 Whare Awhina Community House, to a total of $126,879.
Whakaora Kai Food Rescue received a $50,000 grant.
MSD Māori Pacific and Communities general manager Serena Curtis acknowledged that food insecurity “continues to place pressure on individuals, whānau and communities across New Zealand including Northland”.
“The Hunger Monitor Report highlights the challenges many households continue to face.
“We … recognise that food insecurity can be influenced by a range of factors, including financial hardship, housing costs, employment circumstances and broader cost-of-living pressures.”
Whakaora Kai Moerewa senior manager Vai Lopeti said the need for emergency kai has been “a lot worse” over the last six months.
Lopeti and volunteers distribute around 100 food parcels a week to just as many families, along with multiple social services.
“We’ve had more whānau coming in for support.
“They’ve suddenly got a bill that’s popped up … so we can support them with emergency kai.”
NZ Food Network chief executive Gavin Findlay says food insecurity requires urgent, collective action.
Lopeti said dropping fuel prices, which have hit record highs at the pump, would help.
According to gas price comparison app Gaspy, the average price of 91-octane fuel is $3.60 a litre and diesel is about $3.23 – the highest level since the start of the Iran-US war.
“Getting to where whānau are comfortable would help as the cost of fuel has gone through the roof but incomes haven’t,” Lopeti said.
NZFN chief executive Gavin Findlay said food insecurity required “urgent, collective action”.
“We need a collective commitment across government, business, and local communities to make sure food reaches those in need.”
Curtis said no single programme can address the issue on its own.
“The Food Secure Communities programme is intended to complement broader efforts by communities, iwi, service providers and government agencies to support whānau experiencing hardship.”
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.