New Zealand's welfare recipients face weekly shortfalls in meeting basic needs, driven by rising housing costs and systemic inequities.

Households in New Zealand relying on Jobseeker Support or NZ Super face weekly shortfalls in covering basic needs, with single adults on Jobseeker $107 short, sole parents with two children $21.42 short, and retirees facing deficits of $17.67 to $35.85 weekly. Rising housing costs, especially in cities like Christchurch, are a major driver, alongside long-term income disadvantages for women in care professions. Over half a million people access food support monthly, with high demand among Māori and Pasifika communities. Support services are strained by funding cuts and increasing need, highlighting systemic gaps in social welfare.