Donations urged to help Kiwis in need this Christmas and beyond

The Salvation Army is doing it tough like many people across the motu—which is why those who can are urged to donate, to give people and their whānau a little joy this Christmas and in 2025.

The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Appeal, titled ‘Give A Little Joy This Christmas’, is especially important this year because more than one in five Kiwi children live in households where food runs out sometimes or often, according to the Government’s New Zealand Health Survey—with the number being more than one in three for Māori and Pacific children. Rising unemployment and the deepening cost of living crisis is pushing more people into hardship.

However, it’s becoming harder for charities—including The Salvation Army—to help people with food and other necessities due to declines in donations and government support. It’s a Catch-22: as the need has risen, donations have fallen.

Every donation, regardless of size, can make a difference. Donations are used for providing wraparound services for individuals and their whānau, including access to nutritious food, budgeting advice, counselling, positive lifestyle programmes, gifts and more.

“The Salvation Army has had to be creative this festive season as a squeeze on resources all round has meant we’ve had to rely all the more on the good will of our communities across the country,” says Captain Andrew Wilson, Salvation Army Queenstown church leader and director of Community Ministries.

Wilson says when people donate to the Christmas Appeal, they help families know not only the joy of Christmas, but also help bring long-term change into their lives.

“We need help so we can help others. The Salvation Army has been supporting New Zealanders for well over 140 years. In the seasons where we have faced what seems like insurmountable obstacles, we have continually been humbled by those who come in our time of need to ensure we can keep doing the good work we do in communities across this country.”

Donations can be made by visiting SalvationArmy.org.nz/Christmas or calling 0800 53 00 00.

For more information on how you can support The Salvation Army's Christmas Appeal, please visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz/Christmas

The Salvation Army Territorial Media Officer, 021 945 337, email: media@salvationarmy.org.nz (The Media Officer responds to enquiries from media outlets and journalists. If you would like to donate, are in need of help, or have some other non-media-related enquiry, please call 0800 53 00 00.)