I’m often surprised by how many people are still discovering what Community Link does. I regularly get asked versions of the same question.

"If someone can’t afford to live in Wānaka, why don’t they move?" or "I don’t know anyone who’s struggling here—is there really a need for Community Link?"

It's not asked unkindly—usually it comes from a place of genuine curiosity. But it points to a deeper disconnect between perception and reality in our community.

We see the statistics every month through our foodbank, and more recently I’ve been struck by the findings of the Queenstown Lakes District Council Quality of Life Survey.

The number that leapt off the page? Nearly 1 in 3 people in our region either have no disposable income after paying their bills, or can’t even meet their basic costs.

Even more sobering: in just one year, the proportion of people with no disposable income has risen from 17% to 25%—a staggering 47% increase. That’s one in four people in our community, and it’s only getting worse.

At Community Link, we’re seeing this play out in real time—more families needing help with food, heating, and medical costs. The numbers are one thing. What they don’t capture is the mental strain, the quiet shame, and how incredibly difficult it is for families to reach out and ask for help.

Recently, I bumped into a neighbour wearing a beautiful, thick winter coat. I complimented her on how great she looked. Later, she told me she wears multiple layers at home because she can’t afford to heat her house—and she’s started attending church more often because it’s warm.

Let’s put this in perspective: Wānaka has roughly 4,000 households. If one in four are under serious financial pressure, that’s potentially 1,000 households who are one unexpected bill away from crisis. And in the current climate, that’s deeply concerning.

So when someone says, “If you can’t afford to live here, maybe you should move,” I ask: Why should people be forced to leave a place they love—especially if they’ve lived here for years? Where would they go? And more importantly, what kind of community do we want to be?

If everyone who struggles quietly packed up and left, who would teach at our schools? Who’d be at the medical centre, the café, or our emergency services?

The good news is, Wānaka is a caring community. Many of us who are fortunate enough to live comfortably are aware that not all our neighbours are in the same position—and they give what they can.

I don’t have all the answers, and it’s clear that cost of living pressures aren’t going away any time soon. But we must work together to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive—not just survive.

This winter, Community Link is running its Cold Kids fundraising campaign to ensure no family has to remain cold. We can’t do it without you.

Let’s keep looking out for each other. It’s what strong communities do.

Make a donation to Cold Kids, to help ensure local families can stay warm this winter, at the Community Link website.

PHOTO: Community Link