Helen Robinson says that until we address the lack of access to sufficient food, appropriate housing, and other essential services, can we truly say Auckland is a thriving city?
Helen Robinson says that until we address the lack of access to sufficient food, appropriate housing, and other essential services, can we truly say Auckland is a thriving city?
Opinion
THREE KEY FACTS:
Auckland’s growth is overshadowed by deep inequalities, with many people lacking access to food and housing.
More than half of those seeking support are Māori, highlighting disproportionate impacts and the need for equity.
A systemic approach involving government and agencies is needed to address poverty and food insecurity.
Helen Robinson is Manutaki – Auckland City Missioner
As we envision Auckland’s future – a city that competes on the global stage, attracts investment and talent, and thrives economically – we need to ask: who is being left behind?
Auckland is an exciting place, full of promiseand opportunity, but for too many of its residents, the reality is very different.
While the city flourishes, many residents face daily challenges, including a lack of access to sufficient food, appropriate housing, and other essential services, which keeps people from participating fully in our collective success.
Until we address this issue, can we truly say we’re a thriving city?
The recent State of the City report offers a valuable snapshot of Auckland’s strengths and challenges.
On one hand, we see a city that continues to grow economically, is culturally vibrant, and increasingly connected to the world. On the other hand, we see deep inequalities threatening the city’s long-term prosperity.
At Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai, every day we see the impact of people not having enough.
We see their exclusion from homes, work, and community. We see their hunger. We know their mental health struggles, and the reality of trying to live on too little money.
More than half of the people who come to us for support with housing, food and healthcare are Māori, disproportionately represented compared to the national population.
We are working hard to honour our responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensure equity of both access and outcome for Māori.
Food is where we see the greatest volume of need. It is a key factor in inequality; a symptom of broader social challenges and a barrier to the kind of collective success we want to build.
Recent data paints a worrying picture: over one in four children live in households that don’t have enough to eat.
When families are forced to choose between paying rent or feeding their children, it impacts their health, education, and ability to contribute fully to society. It also impacts on their productivity, something we need more of as a nation and a city.
Thousands of people rely on our and other food relief services each week, including families, children, elderly people, and individuals facing homelessness.
Many of these individuals are working multiple jobs, yet they still cannot afford to put enough food on the table. To support them, we provide boxes of food as well as other options including portable veggie gardens.
People line up outside the Auckland City Mission in Auckland's Hobson St, as they wait in hope of getting food packages. File photo / Greg Bowker
With the cost of living rising across Auckland, food insecurity is growing – and it’s not something that can be solved through charity alone.
We need a co-ordinated, systemic approach that addresses the root causes of poverty and inequality with government, private sector and social service agencies all involved.
What we do distribute currently, we do primarily through the generosity of Auckland.
We have received a one-off grant from government that will last until early in 2025. This funding is both inadequate and uncertain.
I am pleading with government for more support, otherwise what we and other food relief agencies in Auckland can provide, will dramatically decrease.
This leaves more of Auckland hungry and those already there, become more desperate. It is the total antithesis of a thriving city.
Beyond, immediate food relief we need long-term investments in social infrastructure – affordable, appropriate housing, accessible healthcare, mental health services, and access to living wages.
When these needs are met, food insecurity naturally decreases.
Auckland’s future depends on our willingness to create a city where all residents have the opportunity to succeed and a community that works for everyone.
Economic success cannot only be about growth in GDP or global rankings. It must also be about ensuring that every Aucklander, regardless of background, has access to the resources they need to live with dignity and contribute meaningfully.
In the year ahead, we have an opportunity to make a meaningful shift.
We must prioritise tackling food insecurity, and work towards a future where no one goes hungry, where people are not held back by poverty, and where every Aucklander has the chance to thrive.
We must provide more suitable social housing and access to basic services that everyone deserves.
By addressing these issues, we build a city that is not only economically competitive but also compassionate, inclusive, and just – a city where everyone can thrive.
