A Northland budgeting service says it is seeing growing numbers of men stressed by their inability to provide for their families.
Mid-North Budgeting Services Trust in Kaikohe says clients used to be mostly beneficiaries, but working families making up to $900 a week are now struggling to make ends meet.
It says men who have worked all their lives are suffering stress. In some cases, doctors have ordered them to take time off work. It adds that if they leave work, citing stress, Work and Income will not provide help.
The agency says it has hired a second budget adviser using extra funding from the Ministry of Social Development, and it hopes the new government will contine that.
