40 million fed across the world as one in four Kiwi children go hungry

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A new report from The Salvation Army Te Ope Whakaora reveals that more than one in four households with children are regularly missing out on the food they need, while New Zealand exports enough to feed 40 million people overseas.

The report, Ending Food Insecurity – What Needs to Be Done Now, calls for urgent, values-led action to ensure every New Zealander has access to sufficient nutritious food.

“Low incomes and a food system focused on exports are causing ill health and hunger,” says report co-author and Salvation Army Food Security Manager Sonya Cameron. “We must put our health and our children’s wellbeing ahead of profit.”

Food insecurity for children is at its highest level in 10 years. The Salvation Army says the strength of local, community-led responses shows what’s possible, but these efforts need support.

“Food brings people together, strengthening health and community resilience,” says Sonya. “Central and local government must work with communities to get the basics of food security right.”

The report outlines a ‘map of solutions’ that addresses the many dimensions of food insecurity, including:

Transforming the Grocery Commissioner into a Food Commissioner, focused on enabling local food economies to thrive.
Developing a national food strategy that upholds Te Tiriti and prioritises health and wellbeing ahead of economic growth.
Building mana-centred local food systems that uphold dignity and restore relationships between mana whenua and traditional food landscapes.
Ensuring every household has a liveable income through fair wages or adequate income support.
Empowering councils to regulate local food environments, improving access to healthy food and reducing unhealthy outlets.
Scaling up community initiatives like the Community Grocer through continued government funding.
Supporting national food rescue and foodbank networks for both crisis need and emergency response.

“We have the solutions at our fingertips,” says Sonya. “There is no time to waste.”

Download: Ending Food Insecurity Report, Sept 2025

The Salvation Army Territorial Media Officer, 021 945 337, email: media@salvationarmy.org.nz (The Media Officer responds to enquiries from media outlets and journalists. If you would like to donate, are in need of help, or have some other non-media-related enquiry, please call 0800 53 00 00.)