Parents who go hungry to ensure their children eat

Some nights, all Jessemy Evans has to eat is the leftovers on her toddler's plate. She has stopped buying meat, insulated her windows with plastic to save on heating and cancels activities requiring petrol use -but still each day is becoming tougher as the high cost of living in New Zealand bites.

- Eva Corlett

"Everything is on the up but income is not going up in the same way - there is a deficit," Evans said.

The relentless battle to cover housing and food costs is now harming Evans' mental health. The sacrifices she makes - particularly in nutrition also create "a downward spiral", she added. "It is on my mind all day, every day: how can we survive like this?"

Evans is one of a growing number of New Zealanders making hard choices as they struggle to make ends meet. Inflation is at its highest in 30 years, with annual food inflation at 6.8%, and at 10% for fruit and vegetables. Ipsos polling in June showed rising living costs have superseded Covid as the most pressing issue on New Zealanders' minds.