A Whanau Ora manager in Whangarei says the high cost of power and food is driving more elderly people to seek help.
Janine Kaipo says in recent weeks there's been an increase in the numbers of retired people coming in for budgeting advice.
Mrs Kaipo says some people who have been retired for years and always paid their bills are now finding they can't.
The Salvation Army says nationally the demand for food parcels dropped slightly in the three months to July, but is still up 4.5% on last year.