Across New Zealand, communities are creating charities to help individuals and families living in challenging situations get by. New Zealand families are no strangers to hardship, as about 18% of children live in homes with very low incomes, specifically less than half of the typical income. From preserving food, medical kits, clothing, water and shelter to building better education programs, these charities operating in New Zealand have substantially grown in the path to ridding poverty.

Visionwest

Visionwest is one of many faith-led charities in New Zealand that address poverty and homelessness, support the elderly and ensure the young have hope for the future. It helps the nation by creating community housing, which includes long-term and transitional housing. The organization also contributes to the government‑backed Housing First Initiative. This program provides immediate housing and long-term support to tackle homelessness in Auckland and Canterbury.

The charity also fights food insecurity by providing services like the Pātaka Kai food bank and the Manaaki Kai social supermarket. Through these efforts, Visionwest has made a substantial impact:

• 13,585 food parcels distributed
• 7,312 clients are now living independently
• 4,102 Well-being Center sessions
• 1,709 financial mentoring sessions
• 584 households with safe, affordable housing
• 451 young people to achieve education and empowerment goals

Childfund

ChildFund New Zealand works in communities where political instability, conflict and violence impact the daily lives of children, youth and their families. This is one of the many essential child-centered charities operating in New Zealand. It uses a holistic approach by working alongside communities to deliver development programs that emphasize the outlook of children and youth. ChildFund has fought rising poverty by creating community water access points and providing hygiene training to keep families healthy.

In 2024 alone, the organization made an impact by reaching:

• 263,026 people through development activities
• 114 emergency food kits distributed
• 89 meal kits provided
• 55 education bundles delivered
• 35 water purification units distributed

Auckland City Mission

Auckland City Mission is a charity that recognizes the cost-of-living crisis that has impacted many communities. With many only earning enough money to pay essential bills, there is often not much left for food. Auckland City Mission is among the charities operating in New Zealand that focus on bringing communities together, creating meaningful change and rising out of poverty. People in the community experience living in cars, inappropriate housing, mental health issues and struggling to feed their families.

Auckland City Mission has created HomeGround, its nine-story purpose-built facility that houses 80 apartments, health services and addiction recovery support. It has provided immediate housing relief and long-term support to those in hardship. Thanks to its efforts, the charity was able to provide:

• 39,407 food parcels to families and individuals facing severe need
• 19,826 health consultations to support community well-being
• 484 admissions into its social detox program for individuals battling substance dependence

Kindness Collective

Kindness Collective is a charity that provides practical, community-led support through five nationwide programs. Since this is a community-driven organization, its work is varied and its approach is to go where the need and help matter most. Kindness Collective work includes packing pajamas, food boxes and planting potatoes weekly. The charity works like a match-making agency, linking those in need to people with more to give.

Donations have included food, bedding, clothing, baby items and toys. As a result of these contributions and ongoing efforts, the impact has been significant:

• 69,534 people provided with essential items
• 20,200 meals delivered through community events
• 183,988 toiletries distributed

KiwiHarvest

KiwiHarvest is one of the many food-centered charities operating in New Zealand. Its mission is based on helping the population become food secure, ensuring everyone has access to enough nutritious food every day. More than 27% of New Zealand children live in households where food tends to run out. Each year, New Zealand wastes enough food to feed the entire Dunedin population, approximately 150 thousand people.

To fight these statistics, KiwiHarvest works with food businesses to rescue the good food that goes unsold. It also redistributes excess food to those who need it, while protecting the environment. Through all this hard work, KiwiHarvest saves 250,000 kilograms of food each month and redistributes it to those facing hunger.

Through its dedication, KiwiHarvest has created a transformative impact:

• $18 million worth of food saved in 2024
• 16.2 million kilograms of food rescued
• 43,031,285 kilograms of CO₂-equivalent emissions prevented from entering the atmosphere

From rescuing food to distributing essential supplies and providing health support, these organizations drive real, measurable change. Their combined efforts meet urgent needs and build stronger, more resilient communities across New Zealand.

– Emily Herlehy

Emily Herlehy is based in Denton, Texas, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr