"I'd like to see the government create more initiatives for families. I don't think they're doing enough in regards to houses.
"These days it's almost impossible for the young ones to afford a house deposit. Who has $30,000 around?"
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff said the 2017 Budget missed an opportunity to make New Zealand a more equal place.
"This Budget could have done so much. This should have been the Budget that restored the value of Working for Families, took our health system off life support, rebuilt and refurbished our state housing and ensured first-home buyers could find affordable homes," he said.
Ms Wainohu said her daughter and son-in-law, who have just had their first child, were currently living with her as they could not afford to rent, let alone buy, on a single wage.
"They're only on one income with a brand new baby and with most rent being $300 per week that would take out three-quarters of their wage."
She said she was finding herself having to either home or help her children into their own homes now; all off the back of being granted enough money for a home deposit in 1982.
"That was huge back then. Today we're still in our same home we purchased in 1982. From this home we've been able to buy five homes from the equity.
"Really at the end of the day families are having to look after families."
When asked what she thought of the $2 billion a year Family Incomes Package Ms Wainohu said having that extra money could help put food on the table and even give some families the option of travelling.
"Having that money gives families more opportunities to broaden their scope and explore more of the world. It would also give people healthy options which leads to better thinking and higher achievement."