The rising cost of living, unaffordable housing and job insecurity are pushing families to the brink. Heating bills, rent and the cost of food become overwhelming burdens, leaving some with impossible choices — and others with nothing left to give.
Salvation Army Captain Andrew Wilson, of Wellington, said winter did not "just bring frost on the windows".
"It brings isolation, emotional strain and a sense of hopelessness. For families already under pressure, it can feel like the world has gone cold."
Salvation Army Dunedin community ministries manager captain Logan Bathurst said the picture was similar for the families and individuals in need in Dunedin, where the flow-on effect of economic hardship led to increased demand for services.
"Typically, we provide about 30 food parcels each week, but in the winter that rises to about 40," Mr Bathurst said.
"When we are working with people, our first focus is on food and the immediate physical and wellness needs that they have.
"In addition, we are contacted by many people who are in need of housing, which continues to be a major issue across the community," he said.
Due to recent changes to emergency and transitional housing arrangements, there were places available for the Salvation Army to offer in Dunedin, although the demand remained the same.
"With the social housing places being essentially full, and Kainga Ora recently cancelling a list of local developments, the flow-on effect is real for people.
"And it becomes more and more difficult to provide that housing support, which sadly has a huge impact on people’s wellbeing."
The Salvation Army had a team of social workers and a wellbeing worker, who spent time with people seeking help, giving them space to tell their stories and share their concerns, Mr Bathurst said.
"Hopefully, then we can work with them to help solve some of the problems facing them, including advocating for them with MSD [Ministry of Social Development]."
In June, the Salvation Army Dunedin launched the Whakawhiti Exchange Social Cafe — a weekly gathering space, open 10am-2pm on Thursdays, at 575 Princes St, where people can enjoy warmth, social connection, coffee and a hot lunch.
No registration is necessary and entry is free, or koha for those who can manage it.
"The Whakawhiti cafe has been going really well since we opened it — people respond to the warm, safe space and the nice social environment," Mr Bathurst said.
"Our staff are here to welcome people in, and to be available if they want to talk or are looking for support.
"Something that many of the people who come to us for help talk about is the feeling of being disconnected from society and life in general, so they need support to re-engage," he said.
The cost-of-living crisis has an additional flow-on effect across the wider community, leading to a reduction in donations of funds and to the foodbank.
"However, we are still very lucky to have the generous support of our community and are managing to keep up with the demand — so we don’t have to turn anybody away."
Recently, the Salvation Army launched its 2025 Winter Appeal, to help provide a top-up of funds, food and goods and to help support the organisation’s vital ongoing work with those in need.
For more information and to donate, visit salvationarmy.org.nz/winter
