We say – Eating your words

It was probably a throwaway line not intended to be taken too seriously, but Mayor Wayne Brown’s comment that $100 isn’t enough to cover lunch for two people (page 14) is another reminder of the different mindsets between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ in Auckland. Perhaps the comment resonated more loudly because of the time of year.

Mahurangi Matters is just one of many businesses and organisations currently running Christmas collections, asking the community to share some Christmas spirit by donating food and gifts for local families whose Christmas would be bleak without this show of kindness. For some of these people, lunch is a meal they can’t even afford and $100 is all they have to buy food for a week.

According to a Ministry of Social Development report released in October, life is particularly tough for Kiwi children growing up in single parent households, where nearly one in three is living in material hardship. Māori children are more than twice as likely than average to experience material hardship, and Pasifika nearly three times more likely. Rent and housing costs continue to eat up the bulk of household budgets, with little leftover for groceries and other expenses. These childhood inequities often undermine educational achievement and so the circle of hardship continues.

The Mahurangi and south Kaipara region is a kaleidoscope of communities, rich and poor, although this is not always plainly evident. While the well-to-dos are often easily identifiable by the cars they drive, and the homes and beach homes they own, the less well-off tend not to flaunt their poverty. They shop in charity shops through necessity rather than choice, and their children often don’t participate in sport because they can’t afford the uniforms or the transport costs. But make no mistake, there are many among us who are struggling to keep afloat financially at present.

We don’t really have any interest in what Mayor Brown has for lunch or how much it costs, but perhaps he should try to remember that not everyone shares the many privileges he takes for granted.

Note: It is not too late to donate food and gifts to the Mahurangi Matters appeal which is supporting Homebuilders Warkworth, Rodney Women’s Centre and Mahu Vision Community Trust. Goods can be left under the tree in the Mahurangi Matters reception area during normal business hours.