"Towards the end of 2020 teachers were reporting students falling asleep in class as they had such little food & were exhausted...children were so embarrassed about being hungry or not having proper uniforms they simply stayed away from school" https://i.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300215629/the-status-quo-is-not-an-option-amid-a-crisis-in-this-land-of-plenty?cid=app-android

In the 3 years that have passed since completing my PhD I haven't seen any meaningful change on food insecurity. We had a change of govt but they haven't moved on the policies they need to in order to create meaningful change. It's unbelievably frustrating.

This govt has the tools and the majority to action meaningful change on the ridiculously high rents ppl are being forced into by private property investors. But they choose to prioritize the pockets of the already wealthy over those renting and it's hurting our children.

This govt has the welfare recommendations as developed by leading experts (the WEAG) and this govt has the majority to implement them but they have chosen not to, and it is hurting our poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

I've said it so many times and in so many different ways; hunger in NZ is predominantly a result of poverty which is mostly due to too high rents, insufficient social housing, welfare too low, and insecure jobs paying not enough to live on. We have solutions for all of these!!

Charity is a stopgap measure that can help meet the immediate need for food hut it doesn't provide food security; neither does diverting food waste to foodbanks. These are interim solutions that are themselves an insecure food source, not long-term solutions.