For a year Lee Nearne, her husband Andy (not their real names) and their three sons, two of whom are special needs, lived in a garage. The west Auckland family had so little money there were times they had no idea where their next meal was coming from.
"We could afford bread, but there were days when we had nothing in the cupboard. Mostly we were relying on food parcels and the kindness of others," says Nearne.
She says food provided by charity at the school her children go to at least meant they were getting a meal every day. "If it wasn't for that I don't know what we would have done."
Their story has surfaced as The Salvation Army - who ultimately helped the family out of their predicament - has launched its Christmas Appeal for donations to help the 17,000 families and people who struggle to get by.
The Nearnes' problems began when the house they were renting was sold. Heavily in debt and on a low income, they could not afford rent for a new place, eventually forced to live in a garage offered by friends.
"We had no other options at the time," says Nearne. "I am unable to work because I need to be around for my special needs sons and although my husband works he is on a very low wage. I found the whole thing demeaning and demoralising, I felt so bad for my children because they couldn't have friends over or tell them where we lived.
"We had no cooking facilities, it was very, very cold in winter and in summer we sweltered.
It was difficult getting on with each other in such a confined space and it was a very hard time in my relationship with my husband. We've had a lot of re-building to do.
"But we made it work because we had to; our friends allowed us to wash and cook in their house and we spent a lot of time out at the park and places like that. There are people worse off than us," she says.
After almost a year crammed together in the garage, the family now at least has more living space.
They have moved to her parents' three-bedroom house. Their two special needs sons - aged nine and 11- are in a room each, their 17-year-old son is in a cabin on the property, while Nearne and her husband still sleep in a garage.
"It is still not an ideal situation," says Nearne, "but it is a lot better than before and this garage is at least lined. I definitely wouldn't want to go back."
The family's fortunes began to change after their predicament came to the notice of The Salvation Army who offered help with budgeting. Later they were encouraged to do parenting and life skills courses through the Army and were given food parcels to tide them over.
As a result, Nearne says the family is now on the way to being debt- free - and no longer has to worry if there is food in the cupboard. "We wouldn't be in this position without The Salvation Army's support, they have been just amazing."
Last Christmas, which Nearne had been dreading, turned out to be a happy one after the Salvation Army organised a surprise Christmas hamper and gifts for them all. "It was amazing," she says, "even my husband was crying, we are eternally grateful to them.
"Before that I had encouraged my children not to talk about Christmas because it broke my heart knowing we couldn't get what they asked for. They knew if they got a present it would be small and second-hand."
Poverty is a growing issue in New Zealand. Although there is no official poverty line, most estimates put it at an income level of $30,000 for a family of four after housing costs are deducted.
The Salvation Army says it expects to help around 17,000 families deal with the stresses of Christmas this year with food, budget advice, counselling and accommodation assistance. Already in 2016 it has distributed 55,000 food parcels including 26,000 to families in Northland and Auckland.
"Each year about 60,000 children benefit from the support we provide their families - that's about one in five of those living in poverty," says Major Pam Waugh, The Salvation Army's head of social services. "We want to stop Christmas being a killer for Kiwis this year.
"We are asking New Zealanders to bring hope to life for those struggling people by donating to our Christmas Appeal. For many it is a time of extreme stress and loneliness - Christmas adds extra pressure on top of the everyday bills and stresses for those only just getting by," she says.
The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal launched last week throughout New Zealand. Donations can be made online at www.salvationarmy.org.nz/christmasappeal or by phoning 0800 53 00 00.