New Zealanders hungry and cold in their own homes this winter

Sunday, 22 July 2018

A Salvation Army survey has found nearly half of New Zealanders have gone without heating because of the cost.

New Zealand families are sleeping on mattresses in their living rooms and leaving the oven door open to stay warm this winter.

Results from a nationwide survey commissioned by the Salvation Army illustrated the tough choices people were making during the colder months.

The survey of over 1000 Kiwis showed 45 per cent of respondents had gone without heating in the last year due to cost and 44 per cent didn't go to the doctor when they needed to because they couldn't afford it.

Survey results quantified the winter experience of Rowena Claire and her kids who chose to rug up and wear extra clothes this winter rather than deal with the high expense of heating their home.(L-R Sean(front), Sharlene, Rowena and Melody)

Manager for The Salvation Army's welfare services, Jono Bell, said his initial response to the figures was disbelief.

* Being cold and rationing heating is now 'normal'

* Nine out-of-the-box heating hacks**

'But on reflection, I thought, actually the numbers are not too dissimilar from what we are seeing on the frontlines,' Bell said.

'It's not just beneficiaries but people in our community who are working are still not making ends meet and are being forced to choose. It is a widespread problem.'

The survey quantified the experiences of mothers like Rowena Claire, a West Auckland single mum who had to tell her four children who live at home to put on more clothes or add another blanket rather than use the heater.

Jono Bell, Manager for The Salvation Army's welfare services, said the results of a new nationwide survey painted a grim picture of New Zealand and the choices the working poor had to make.

She said she felt she was failing her children by not being able to provide a warm home.

Bell said it was wrong working families were being forced to choose between food, housing and heat.

Almost half of the respondents in a new survey said they didn't use heating during the winter, and 44 per cent said they didn't go to the doctor, even if they needed to.

'Some of the numbers have serious implications,' he said

'People can't heat their homes, so they are getting sick more often, so they have to go to the doctor but can't afford it. There are far reaching effects. More medicine is required so they are having to make a choice between medicine and food. And then there's the house prices on top of that.'

Conventional heating was often the first thing to go when money was tight, he said.

'The oven door will be open and cranked up high. . . for some, it's the only choice they have.'

Bell said embarrassment and stigma created a barrier for people who needed help.

'We often hear of parents going without a meal so their kids can eat and many who struggle to feed their family. They feel whakamā (embarrassment), and won't talk about it, making it harder for us to find who needs support,' said Bell.

'That embarrassment is a real reality. That's why there has to be a community response.'

The Salvation Army released the survey results ahead of its National Winter Appeal.

'We are encouraging New Zealanders to donate. But also, if you notice someone is struggling, encourage them to get some help. The survey really shows how widespread the struggle is over these winter months.'

The survey also found that 16 per cent of respondents had missed a rent or mortgage payment in the previous year because they couldn't afford it on the due date, 37 per cent skipped a meal in the last year because they didn't have enough money and 10 per cent used the oven or stove to heat their home during the winter.

Go to www.salvationarmy.org.nz/winterappeal for more on The Salvation Army Winter Appeal.