Recession causes poverty rise in Sth Akld 

Source: ReutersBegging on the street

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Poverty is sinking to new depths in South Auckland as the recession continues to bite.
 
Unemployment and debt levels have soared since the recession began.

As unemployment climbs, Work and Income's employed another 100 staff.

"We've seen an increase of people going on the benefit so what we need is case managers at that frontline to be supporting them," says Paula Bennett, Social Services and Employment Minister.

Nearly half of those new case managers have been placed in Manukau City.

In the year ending March, the numbers of Pacific Islanders unemployed doubled and things aren't expected to get better in the coming months.

Cherry Moon is one of those living on borrowed time. But the dying cancer patient wants a future for her children

"I hope that my kids don't have to go through what we're going through struggling to get power to keep their babies warm and struggling to get money to feed kids," says Moon.

Her husband can't get a job as has to take care of his family full time.

It's really hard for people on a benefit. They think oh yeah we're just bludgers.  We're not bludgers, not all of us are bludgers," says Moon.

The financial squeeze is also placing pressure on Mangere Budgeting and Family Support Services.

It's had to shift to bigger premises to meet the demand of helping as many as 1500 families, as the influx of clients keeps increasing.

"They are learning the art of budgeting, they're learning to plan for their future and more importantly by learning to prioritise income you can put food on the table," says Darryl Evans, from Mangere Budgeting Service.

Like solo mum Edina Harris, who found herself drowning in a quagmire of debt.

She says the budgeting classes have helped her immensely.

"Its given me the opportunity to start all over again and think about what im going to do in the future for my kids," says Harris.

In the meantime, Moon says that while she will not see her kids grow up, she's determined to leave them a better life.

"I don't want my kids on the dole. I want my kids to have everything I never got given the chance to," says Moon.