What's it like to live in poverty in NZ?

Wednesday, 16 May 2018

Is Christmas a stressful time of year for you and your family?

Christmas is supposed to be a jolly, festive time of year. But for some, the holiday period can be a struggle.

There's the added pressure of buying presents and gift giving, children being home for the holidays, and more money being spent on food.

Are you one of the many employed Kiwis doing it tough?

More than 11,000 requests have been submitted to Santa via NZ Post this year, with requests ranging from puppies to toys. But some Kiwi families simply can't afford these elaborate gifts.

Stories of New Zealand's 'working poor' are increasingly being told around the country, and we want to hear yours.

Many Kiwis are doing it tough, without the added pressure of Christmas time.

Joanna, a mother-of-two from Henderson, shared her story of working all week and earning $550, only for it to be eaten up by her rent of $530 every week.

So, are you one of the many employed Kiwis finding the budget a bit tight this year? We want to hear your stories about low wages, high living costs, and how you and your family get by in December.

Are you a parent that finds Christmas a financially stressful time of year? At the end of the working week after paying the bills, how much do you have leftover for food and necessities?

What's it like to live in poverty in New Zealand? And why do you think so many of our workers are still struggling to make ends meet?

To share your story, hit the big button below. We accept submissions of between 250 and 800 words. App users: You can email your submission to stuffnation@stuff.co.nz.