The streets are no place to sleep after a long day at work, especially in winter's depths. But for some New Zealanders, a freezing concrete mattress is the best they can hope for.
Driven by ever increasing house prices, especially in and around Auckland, many are toppling off the edge into a life of homelessness, poverty and desperation. And the numbers are growing by the day.
"People come to the city to get a job, but then can't afford the cost of housing and end up sleeping in cars or on the streets," says Major Pam Waugh, head of social services for The Salvation Army.
"Others are living in garages; parents are sleeping in cars outside a friend's place so their kids can be warm inside the house at night. The cycle of poverty is proving ever harder to break."
The Salvation Army has long been there to help those in real need. This winter they have launched their first ever Winter Appeal to raise awareness around just how hard it is for many people to get by during the colder months.
To launch the event volunteers handed out hot cups of soup to commuters at Auckland's Britomart Transport Centre on the evening of Monday, July 18. Donated by Watties, more than 1000 cups of Tomato and Capsicum and Harvest Pumpkin soup were given out to raise awareness of our society's growing need for food, warmth and shelter.
The cups featured details of the Winter Appeal website and an 0800 number (0800 53 00 00) through which people can donate much-needed funds.
Major Waugh says poverty is becoming more and more entrenched in New Zealand, with housing costs playing a significant role in the ongoing cycle of poverty that people find themselves trapped in.
"We are finding that people are being pushed out of the central areas of places like Auckland and Queenstown to the borders because they can't afford the rents," she explains.
"But then they have petrol costs to get into work and back. It's incredibly hard to make any headway."
Food is often at the top of the list of needs - warm, nourishing food in particular.
"Most people come to us for food initially. Baked beans, soup and other warming foods are really important over winter," says Waugh.
"But then as we work with them we often find that they have many other needs as well. There's often a lot of shame and this stops people asking for help, but once we go and visit them in their homes we become aware of other issues that families are experiencing."
Debt can be crippling for families in need. Unscrupulous loan providers charging exorbitant interest are "always lurking," according to Waugh. If borrowers default on a payment, interest quickly mounts and people can find themselves in deep financial trouble.
Waugh says they are also seeing more families moving on to "pay as you go" power schemes, and ending up without light and heat until they can next top up.
"Even people who budget incredibly carefully can find themselves unable to afford power if there is an unexpected expense," says Waugh.
The figures around homelessness and poverty in New Zealand cast the problem into stark relief. It's estimated that there are currently more than 40,000 homeless in New Zealand this year. Over 55,000 people approach The Salvation Army Community Ministries for help every year.
And the problem is not just in Auckland. Smaller centres are reporting greater need as well.
"People in smaller centres aren't entitled to as much accommodation support as those in Auckland," says Waugh.
"And in the more southern areas the weather is much colder so it's even harder for those who are forced to live on the streets."
Waugh says The Salvation Army is committed to helping people escape the cycle of poverty. She says public support is essential and the organisation is extremely heartened by the generosity of New Zealanders.
"We are incredibly grateful to the public. Their support is vital and we really appreciate the help they provide," she says.
She says people need to realise that many are struggling through no fault of their own and need help to escape the poverty trap.
"People come to us with their budgets and they are more thorough than anything you or I could do," says Waugh. "They just don't have enough money to support their families."
"Welfare is supposed to lift people out of poverty but unfortunately, due to increasing debt, it traps many in a cycle of despair that's difficult to escape."
While the annual Christmas Appeal is always well supported by the public, Waugh says that the need is year-round and winter is the most desperate time for many.
"July, August and September are among the hardest times for people in need," she says. "The public's support is vital at this time of year."
To make a donation to the Salvation Army Winter Appeal please click here