KEY POINTS:
Giving money to charity seems to have dropped down a few places on New Zealanders' list of priorities. Oxfam is projecting a $500,000 shortfall for the current financial year. That is down around 10 per cent on previous years' annual income from the public.
Executive director Barry Coates says times might seem tough in New Zealand, but it is much worse in developing countries. He says high food and energy prices are hitting those parts of the world in particular.
Barry Coates says people in the Third World generally do not have savings, so there is no buffer for them to fall back on. He says some aid work has been postponed because of the anticipated shortfall.
Barry Coates is asking New Zealanders to be generous, despite the financial difficulties they face.
- NEWSTALK ZB
