One in three New Zealand households report ongoing food insecurity, survey shows

The New Zealand Food Network surveyed 3,000 people from July to August 2026 and found that 31% of households have struggled to obtain affordable, nutritious meals in the past year, a rate identical to 2025. Moderate food insecurity affected 14% of participants, whereas 17% faced severe hardship, leading to disrupted eating patterns and frequent meal skipping. Nearly half of those with severe insecurity rated their physical health as poor or fair, and 54% reported similarly low mental wellbeing.

The data show the greatest burden falls on single parents, Pacific communities, disabled individuals and renters, with social stigma cited as the biggest obstacle to accessing assistance. Awareness of food support services rose slightly to 58%, but only 23% of struggling households received formal aid, and a third of those found it insufficient.