The Impact of Food Insecurity in Our Community.

While New Zealand remains one of the best countries in the world, our economy has its pitfalls. Nearly 14% of New Zealanders, or 1 in 7, experience food insecurity. Children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and everyday working families are among those affected, especially in the Southland region.

Hunger is primarily a symptom of economic insecurity. When household incomes can’t keep pace with the cost of living, unexpected expenses like a car accident or medical emergency can force families to make impossible choices between food and other basic needs.

14% of us

Nearly

experience food insecurity

What is food insecurity?

Food insecurity describes a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. It is a way to measure and assess the risk of hunger. Deer to Care defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. It’s important to distinguish between hunger, a physical sensation of discomfort, and food insecurity, a lack of available financial resources for food at the household level.

In New Zealand, 14% of households, or 1 in 7, experience food insecurity. That’s 208,600 New Zealand households.

Food insecurity and different groups

  • Children

    1 in 10 children experiences hunger. Hunger deprives kids of more than just food. Kids who don’t get enough to eat—especially during their first three years—begin life at a serious disadvantage. They are more likely to be hospitalized and face higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma. As they grow up, they are more likely to have problems in school and other social situations.

  • Seniors

    11% of households with seniors in Southland face food insecurity. After a lifetime of hard work, many seniors face an impossible choice—buy groceries or afford medical care. As the baby-boom generation ages and health costs increase, the number of seniors facing hunger is only expected to grow. Preventing hunger among seniors can reduce some of the greatest challenges facing our region.

  • Rural New Zealanders

    Higher poverty and lower incomes in rural areas lead to greater reliance on services. Rural families often face higher rates of hunger due to unique challenges, including poor geographic access to healthy food, limited job opportunities, and high rates of un- and under-employment. Addressing hunger in rural areas presents a unique challenge.

The effects of food insecurity.

Food insecurity has significant impacts on individuals and families. Common effects include:

Difficult decisions and coping mechanisms, such as choosing between paying for food and health care or food and utilities.

Health complications, including cognitive impairments and growth interference in children, and disease management issues in adults.

Because food insecurity is economic in nature, it is often episodic and cyclical. Many individuals move in and out of food insecurity, adding more stress to households already dealing with instability and unpredictability.

Stories of Hunger – Korero Care

Korero Care is a collection of stories from Deer to Care consumers who share a common experience of hunger and food insecurity. By collecting, preserving, and sharing these voices, we aim to humanize the experience of food insecurity and create a vivid image of Deer to Care's impact.

  • Lesley, working family mum

    “Everything is getting so expensive, and there’s a lot of families struggling at one point. Getting support from Deer to Care through the Salvation Army in Invercargill really makes a difference for us.”

  • Leanne, stay-at-home single mum

    “Trying to get settled into a new home and ensure we are looking after ourselves is very difficult. It’s overwhelming and tear-jerking to be in this situation and have to reach out. We are very grateful to Women’s Refuge and the Deer to Care initiative for making it a bit easier to feed our family.”

  • Robert, retired superannuitant

    “I’m just an old fella who was born and bred in Southland, a true Southlander. It’s not easy on your own at my age, and I rely on the opportunity to enjoy Southland venison from this program at the Salvation Army in Gore.”

Staying hidden while hunting in the bush or on the hills is a fundamental attribute of a good hunter. At Deer to Care, we apply the same philosophy to our operations. You won’t see us cutting ribbons or high-fiving, but we will read and respond to any messages you send us, provided we are not on a priority hunting mission!