Strong family ties make a difference for people living on low incomes

Waitangi Day has become Aotearoa New Zealand’s national holiday and Families Commissioner Jo-anne Wilkinson is encouraging Kiwis to use it as special time to spend with family and whānau.

“Families who spend time together are stronger as a result and are more able to cope when times get hard,” says Ms Wilkinson.

Today Superu (previously the Families Commission) releases a research report Perceptions of income adequacy by low income families, showing the role family plays in people’s perceptions of income adequacy. Comments from research participants such as “We couldn’t get by without help from family and friends”, illustrates just how important family and whanau networks are in helping people on low incomes cope.

The aim of the research is to understand why some low income families report their income to be adequate while others on similar incomes report their income to be inadequate. Enough income is only one element of having a reasonable life. Being there for the kids, wanting the best for their children or being happy within oneself are also critical factors when determining what is adequate.

Clare Ward, Superu Chief Executive, says “Income is just part of the picture. Having adequate income is judged by how the income is managed, what expectations are held, the predictability of income and expenses and the presence of support.”

“Building financial planning skills, strong relationships, an optimistic outlook and family and community support enables families to recover from unexpected events,” says Ms Ward.

Findings suggest families who reported having ‘enough’ income tend to have paid employment, their own home, and some financial planning skills; while families who reported having not enough commonly were in rental accommodation, had unpredictable income, were receiving a government benefit, and were juggling expenses.

Donovan Clarke, Superu’s Chief Adviser Maori, says “This week we celebrate 175 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in Aotearoa New Zealand, we will all celebrate this in our own way, most importantly spending time with whānau. Nö te mea, kö whānau te mea nui, (because family is the main thing).”

ENDS

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