Ka Mākona 2025

Food insecurity in Aotearoa is not about a shortage of food, but about whether whānau have the income needed to access healthy, affordable kai. Ka Mākona 2025 examines the income and expenses of low-income households to understand the root causes of food insecurity, which currently affects one in four people across the motu. This year’s report highlights the particular challenges faced by older people and women, and identifies levers for change to ensure everyone in Aotearoa has enough to thrive.

The report includes Victoria Crockford’s observations on the growing precarity facing older women:

“Official data might be scarce, but evidence from housing providers on the ground and key pieces of research show that our housing system is failing our older women. Research shows that homelessness amongst older people is increasing faster than in other age groups – with [women] resorting to couch-surfing with friends and relatives or even living in their cars. Tenure insecurity, or the risk of being moved on from or being unable to afford a rental, is at the heart of this rapid growth. Other factors include relationship breakdowns, property sale after separation, and limited affordable and accessible housing options, especially for older, single people.”

Ka Mākona 2025 reinforces the urgent need for income adequacy and housing security so that all whānau in Aotearoa can thrive.

Read the full report here.