The cost of living has not shown any signs of slowing down this year - for the average household, it has increased by more than 7.5 percent for the 12 months to March.
Food prices have jumped by 12 percent.
For families with young children, it can be especially difficult, with the high cost of living ironically meaning some are forced out of their jobs.
Among the people in that situation is Rikki-Lee Tanoa.
"I'm a mental health registered nurse, but I've actually had to just put my work on pause at the moment due to housing and childcare," Tanoa told AM.
Tanoa said there is an enormous need for mental health services in Aotearoa currently and not enough resources to cope with demand.
"It's pretty hectic, there are a lot of shortages in terms of staffing. A lot of staff are getting burnt out, heaps of them are calling in sick. That puts a lot of pressure on the nurses and makes it risky as well as it becomes unsafe practice," she said.
"I love my job I love working for the rangatahi unit in Porirua but it's just sad to see the system just doesn't have enough workers."
Tanoa's situation worsened when her landlord evicted her, putting her and her family in a desperate situation.
She has a one-year-old and a seven-year-old.
"We were pretty much facing homelessness and then two days before we had to be out, we were offered the last transitional housing that they had to offer and we were just very thankful and lucky enough to grab that and get into that place."
Jessica Te Huia of the Porirua Whanau Centre said Tanoa's situation isn't uncommon.
"We see lots at the whanau come in that can't afford to pay for day-to-day costs like food, rent, fuel rates. It's a massive struggle and we see it firsthand," she told AM.
If the Government funded early childhood education (ECE) for Tanoa's one-year-old - and that of other similar families - things would be a lot easier.
"It would make a huge difference. It would help our whanau get back to work a lot quicker if they lowered the age for the 20 free hours," said Te Huia.
"That would definitely be a huge help."
Tanoa added: "Definitely, it would help us. I could put money instead towards food or fuel or clothing, other things that we need."
Tanoa and Te Huia will be keeping an eye on news of today's budget announcements to see if extra ECE funding is coming.
