Cost of living

NZ cost of living reality leaves Tongan family with 'no money left over'

Vaiangina is the sole provider for his wife and four children and represents many Pacific families struggling to pay for basic needs.

He works a fulltime job and lives in transitional housing, meaning he pays only $155 per week for rent, but still struggles to make ends meet as he's the only one working.

"Normally I used to have enough but just at the beginning of this year, I can't have any left over," Vaiangina says.

“Even with that $155 going out for my rent, I still can't save anything else after two weeks."