"I think many of the people on the street feel rejected, feel outsiders, that they're being looked down on." Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
People working in top jobs at charities responding to poverty say the choice of giving food or money to those asking for help is tough and they often feel conflicted.
Many communities are seeing a spike in homelessness, with a steady rise in the number of people living in cars, parks or on the streets.
That included Auckland, where there were more than 650 living rough on the streets according to the last count in January, and outreach workers expected that to rise over winter.
Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson said giving is a personal decision.
"For some people giving money is okay for some it isn't, for some it is giving money to an organisation, for some it's shouting someone a feed or offering to buy someone a pie or a drink while they're in the shop," she said.
"For others it's really striking up that conversation and encouraging them to access services like the mission."
Robinson said she often feels conflicted about what to give.
"There are times when I have given them money and there are times when I haven't, which is ironic for me as the Auckland City Missioner that I say both of those things," she said.
"I'm just conscious that sometimes $5 is the difference between someone having some food. It's a tangible expression of I actually genuinely care for what's going on for you in this moment."
Hustling or begging at traffic lights was against the law and she urged people to consider theirs and others' safety in such situations.
Robinson said a human response was needed and it's important not to ignore those living rough - she encouraged compassion.
Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge agreed.
"I have a belief that the best possible thing we can do is greet them as you would anybody else, so say hello, make eye contact, engage with them, ask them how their day is," he said.
"I've been doing that for a number of years because I heard directly from one of them that one of the biggest challenges they faced is that people wouldn't make eye contact."
Edridge said he takes that approach and prefers to buy someone lunch or something they need rather than give cash.
He said the mission is seeing a rare level of poverty in its 120 year history.
"We're facing some huge social issues and my encouragement to government, to decision makers, to policy setters, to local councils and to leaders in our community is that we need to pay attention to this because if we don't then we all lose."
Edridge has been the city missioner for seven years and said he felt privileged to be in a position to help others.
"There's no downside to helping people get on and have an improved life, in fact the benefit that accrues to each one of us is huge."
Ian Hutson works as a mission officer for the Salvation Army and said the question of what to give people on the street is not straight-forward.
"In my case I often don't give but refer to agencies that can help but occasion you get the feel that it's fine to give."
He said people need to feel part of society, regardless of their circumstances.
"People are often somewhat frightened or fearful of people on the street and sometimes I think a certain amount of engaging and acknowledging them but without necessarily giving anything is at least one thing," Hutson said.
"I think many of the people on the street feel rejected, feel outsiders, that they're being looked down on."
He said individuals, groups and churches all need to help those in need.
The missioners and Hutson said people experiencing homelessness should not be blamed for their circumstances, which often include challenges such as addiction or illness.
Robinson is urging people to write to their local MP.
"Contact your local representative and say to them that enough affordable housing is really important to you as a citizen, to use your power to communicate to our politicians how important it is to you because your view then enables them to shape their view."
She said a lack of affordable housing is driving up homelessness and that needs to change.
