Kai, kāinga, whānau

Food, a home and family are important for wellbeing. But increasing numbers of Kiwis are struggling to even just maintain these basics. 

That’s a big takeaway of The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2025 report, titled Kai, Kāinga, Whānau, The Basics—Food, a Home, Family. Now in its 18th year, the report pulls together existing data to look at where things have gotten better, and where things have gotten worse, in five areas: Children and Youth, Work and Incomes, Housing, Crime and Punishment, and Social Hazards. Another section of the report called Māori Wellbeing uses He Ara Waiora wellbeing framework to look at how those five areas are affecting Māori. 

Key findings in the report include a rising need for food, particularly among families with children—for instance, half of all Pacific children go without food often or sometimes. Unemployment is also increasing, with more than 400,000 people needing welfare support in December 2024—the highest number since the 1990s. 

Other findings include that while more social housing units are available, the pace of new social housing builds is decreasing. Rent for private rentals continues to be unaffordable for many people, and homelessness is increasing. Aotearoa New Zealand’s prison population has also grown. 

Director of The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit Dr Bonnie Robinson says the report can be used by decision-makers like politicians and social service organisations and charities like The Salvation Army as a tool. By addressing the areas of the need in report, people can thrive. 

“If these stats show anything, it’s that we need a collective effort to turn things around.” 

Read the State of the Nation report at: https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/sotn2025