A Christchurch organisation is stepping up to support people in the community who are feeling the pinch of rising costs.
The Ōtautahi Māori Wardens collect, pack, and distribute up to 80 food parcels a week, delivering any leftovers to community pantries in the east.
The wardens’ kaupapa of "one parcel, one car" means those in need are offered immediate relief with weekly necessities, and they support as many people as possible with every delivery.
Data from Stats NZ shows the cost of living for an average household increased 7.4 per cent in the year ending September 2023.
Groceries were a significant contributor to this, rising 11.1 per cent.

Since Covid, the demand for support has extended to include middle-income earners and above, and the pressure on households means people are travelling further afield for help.
"What we’re seeing now is people outside of the east that are coming,” Te Wani said.
"It’s not just this side; we are seeing them from Shirley, Riccarton, wherever.”

"Demand around Christmas was especially high as this is a challenging time for many whānau.
"The reality is if we had more supplies, the number of food parcels we distribute could easily be up to 140 every week."
Providing access to food for people in need isn't the only way the wardens wrap their arms around the communities they serve.
Volunteers attend a range of community events from large-scale festivals to tangi, or simply by providing one-on-one support to a community member who may be struggling.
They offer security, day and night patrols, traffic control, cultural assistance, and other essential services, such as transportation, to vulnerable communities.
"When we rock up to an event, and people see Ōtautahi Māori Wardens, they have an automatic perception they’re safe,” Te Wani said.
Her daughter Rawinia has been a warden since she was 13.
She was the youngest warranted warden and is now the head funding co-ordinator.
The Rātā Foundation has provided funding to Ōtautahi Māori Wardens for several years, which includes support to meet the cost of a van used to make deliveries.
Foundation chief executive Leighton Evans said the community relies on good people like Te Wani and her team in challenging times.
"It’s no surprise that, as the cost of living increases, demand for support services that provide access to life’s essentials also goes up," said Evans.