hardship in nz: west auckland family endure cold homes and weekly gp visits - personal air purifier

This winter, New Zealand's needy families have never had the same demand for warm clothes, dry shoes and beds.
Isaac Davidson talks to families seeking help about how they got stuck and what they needed --
And how families in New Zealand can help.
Donate to www. variety. org.
For difficult families, the difference between coping and not responding can be a single household appliance.
John and Susy Katipanepia from Parau, a suburb of Theo-Crane, experienced some cold and moldy houses.
Their 2-year-old son, Hanren, suffers from severe asthma and eczema, a condition that is aggravated by moisture.
John said: "His asthma . . . . . . He will wake up, cough, and then vomit . ".
"This is continuous.
That's why we have nine points.
5 kg washing machine, blanket.
This has been basically the case since birth.
It continues.
"John, 46, showed a five o'clock A. M. video on his mobile phone, in which Hanren vomited himself and his leopard --
Pajamas on his bed.
He looks confused and tired.
"You are torn when you see this," John said . ".
The family originally required work and income (Winz)
But the person who applied for special assistance refused.
The case manager recommended them to the children's charity Variety, which approved a grant for dehumidifier.
John and Suzy moved their bedroom into the smallest room in the house, making it easier to heat up and the new equipment was on all night.
"He woke up four or five times from one night to one," said Suzy, 35 . ".
"We're still fighting asthma, but it's not that bad yet.
It has improved a lot.
Variety says it shows how basic items can greatly improve family life. These one-
On the other hand, large purchases are often not available to families below the poverty line or poor people with jobs.
The charity has hundreds of families waiting for other necessities, such as warm clothes and bedding, and is calling for donations nationwide for the first time this week.
The dehumidifier and air purifier cost the catypania family nearly $800.
John said the family spent between $80 and $120 in good weeks
Although this is usually eaten up by medical bills.
John works in two parts.
Time to work, gardening and relocation of taxis and cars, earning around $100 a week.
He is receiving a disability allowance due to an ankle injury.
He used to be full on the road.
He likes the job because he occasionally drives luxury cars like Mercedes. Benz.
"Beautiful C220s and a80s," he said . "
But relocation means he rarely sees his younger son and wife, who have two chronic diseases.
Suzy's care for Hanren
Time and learn te reo Gross profit in your spare time (she is Tainui).
Families receive $700 per week from work and income, including for family work, disability benefits for both parents, accommodation subsidies and winter energy payments.
They share with the extended family and pay $325 for rent.
They pay about $90 a week for electricity and $120 for meals and also for bank loans.
In winter, electricity can rise to $120 a week.
"We have been fighting for a week," John said . "
"Then we make ends meet.
"The welfare system does not motivate beneficiaries to work more," he said.
"I pay taxes at a higher rate.
Our Winz account is $1 for every $80, $70 +.
"So if I work more than 30 hours, it's actually not good for me.
I work there for free.
The more I work, the more I come out.
If we make $671or more]
We had no benefits that week.
"They are a proud, optimistic family, and they are a little embarrassed to need the support of the country.
"We have no bad habits.
We don't drink or smoke . "
"We are struggling economically, but we do our best to make it work.
We always put Hanren's needs first.
"Since Hanren was born, they have set aside $20 a week for him, but sometimes have to use his savings.
They are familiar with difficulties.
John grew up in a big family of 19 children in Waiuku and was cared for by grandparents.
His grandfather was poisoned by dangerous work at an aluminum smelter at the age of 55.
When asked about his dream, John just said he wanted to stay in the same house for as long as possible.
He has vague plans to become a publishing writer.
However, he is a little more ambitious about Hanren.
"He's so flexible. I want him to do ballet.
This is my dream for him.
"But I think he wants to be a black man.
There is only one position for him. centre.
"To 2022, every rental property in New Zealand must be kept dry and warm around 16C to 18C.
This is the latest deadline for landlords to upgrade their property to the lowest standard launched next year.
The standard was introduced in part to reduce the number of hospital stays associated with cold and damp housing-about 40,000 people per year.
About 1600 people, mostly elderly, died prematurely due to cold, damp houses and inability to heat.
Due to changes made by the previous government, landlords with no insulation of the property have been asked to upgrade the property by the middle of next year.
When Labor-
After the government came to power, it requested a broader and stricter minimum standard for rent and passed relevant laws in November.
It not only sets minimum standards for insulation, but also for heating, ventilation and drainage, which will be rolled out within a year and rolled out gradually over the next four years.
If the landlord has to install insulation and heat pumps from scratch, these changes are expected to cost between $3000 and $5000.
They will be assisted by government grants worth up to $2000.
For more information on this Herald series, please see: difficulties in New Zealand: difficulties in rugby fees and second pair of shoes that the manureva family cannot reach: difficulties in New Zealand: $1 at home after paying the bill