Social Development Minister Louise Upston has defended the Government's move to cut funding for community food providers from next week.
It comes after Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson told AM on Tuesday that the organisation will have to turn people away due to the cuts.
"As of July 1st we will receive very, very little money, so $75,000 is what the Mission will receive from Government," she said, adding that the Mission needs $1.5m each year to operate well.
But Upston said in a statement to Newshub there are still options for people who need help to get food.
"The coalition Government continues to fund the New Zealand Food Network that supplies food banks to address food insecurity. Anyone who is really struggling to buy food can also apply for hardship grant from MSD [Ministry of Social Development] if they need urgent help," she said.
Funding for the Auckland City Mission from July onwards is still being decided by MSD, Upston said, adding that the $75,000 amount referred to by Robinson is the City Mission's funding for the 2023/2024 financial year.
"The coalition Government knows Kiwis are doing it tough with high food prices and the cost of living a daily struggle for many," she said.
Upston told Newshub Government funding for food banks is to "contribute" to, but not fully fund services.
"Funding was increased during COVID-19 due to the extra demand and challenges in getting food to people in lockdown, but the pandemic has now passed and we are continuing the last Government's transition back to normal services."
The Government will continue to fund the NZ Food Network.
MSD is in talks with the Auckland City Mission over whether its funding matches demand. Funding for just 3.5 percent of the mission's total spend on food parcels has been confirmed.
"I'm also monitoring the situation," said Upston.
The Auckland City Mission on Friday said it'd have to turn families away, after the Government indicated in next year's Budget there will be little funding for food provision.
"You're talking literally hundreds of thousands of people who are needing this kind of support," said Robinson.
She said the Mission will have to reduce food parcels by over 50 percent from July 1.
