20 May 2013

Salvation Army sees worrying rise in need from Pacific families

9:15 am on 20 May 2013

The Salvation Army says there's been a worrying increase in Pacific families needing emergency help since the global financial crisis hit in 2009.

A new report says Pacific people have been hardest hit - with the highest unemployment, lowest incomes and a widening income gap.

The average weekly income for a Pacific adult has gone up just two dollars in the past five years.

A Salvation Army youth adviser in West Auckland, Christina Fa'avae, says she sees the results every day.

"More and more people come through accessing our foodbank to access grants for school uniforms and stationery costs. We are seeing a lot of young mums having to move into family garages and homes where there's already overcrowding."

A Salvation Army youth worker, Christina Fa'avae.

The Salvation Army says middle-class Pacific families - not just beneficiaries - need help.