Warm Hearts and Homes
Kia ora e te whānau,
We are in the midst of winter as I write this, and spring seems a long way off. Although the days are dark and gloomy, I take comfort that I live in a warm house with money to pay for heating.
When we returned to Wellington after eight years in Auckland, my one proviso for our new home was that it was warm. I remember growing up in a damp, cold house and I have vowed never to live in a cold house again. I know that I am now in the minority and that too many people live in the homes of my childhood.
In this issue, we look at how The Salvation Army is helping people make their dollars stretch so they can access basic necessities—all the more crucial in this cost-of-living crisis.
On page 8, you can read about the work of the Community Ministries teams who are seeing both increased and more complex need. They are responding by providing practical support, wraparound services and assistance navigating government services. What stands out is their ethos that all support is relational rather than transactional.
The seamless, compassionate help that Deidre experienced after the March 2026 floods, (page 18), is The Salvation Army at its very best. As Deidre says, when she had lost her home and had WINZ funding for only a three-day stay at a motel, not only did the Army provide accommodation but ‘there was no gap, no uncertainty’.
Other Army heroes are our financial mentors (page 20) who perform miracles on a daily basis helping people tackle debt. But it’s not just the everyday miracles, they also assist people in gaining a long-term view of their finances, knowing the pitfalls to avoid and how to plan—actively growing people’s financial resilience.
The question of what abundance really means is explored by Kai Sanders (page 26). The earthly desire to hold on to things can be overwhelming, especially when resources seem tight, but Jesus had little and gave generously. Kai asks the question, ‘How much do I really need today?’
Throughout this issue, we also have practical tips from our experts to make your money go further. I pray that as you read SALT you are somewhere warm and dry, with all that you need.
The magazine can be viewed either as an online magazine on Issuu, or the bulk of the articles, leadership links, news, and shorter reflections (Grace Notes) have been added into their various sections.
I welcome your feedback and suggestions, and also your photos, letters, crafts and stories. Please email: salt@salvationarmy.org.nz
Magazine Contents
Articles
When the Cost of Getting by Gets Higher
All Under One Roof: New Salvation Army Centre Opens in Kaitāia
