The gap between rich and the poor has continued to widen and it is a scandal that people are living in poverty, says Christchurch's departing city missioner.

Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry

After 12 years of helping the city's most vulnerable, Michael Gorman is stepping down.

Mr Gorman said in the time he had been in the role, the inequity gap had widened and more people were now seeking help.

In the past the mission was dealing with people who were deprived but "almost managed".

"But now the living conditions are such for some people that they can't manage."

The use of drugs had increased and people were coming into the City Mission with more complex problems.

"Once they came because they wanted a food parcel. Now they come wanting a food parcel but also being addicted to drugs, and maybe having difficulty with their children and maybe having relationship breakdowns."

Looking back, he said, perhaps he should have spoken out a little more about some of the injustices.

"There are people who are living in our community in poverty - and that's a scandal."

Mr Gorman was immensely proud of his staff, and how the City Mission had stepped up and supported the people of Christchurch after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

A farewell is being held for Mr Gorman tonight. He leaves the job on 6 January and the new city missioner has not yet been announced.