After paying their bills and rent, Tuakau's Scott Spencer and his fiancee have $3 left for food this week.



They paid their rent and bills and now they have just $3 left for food - for the entire week.

Tuakau man Scott Spencer and his fiancee are starving.

The couple say there must be many others like them - struggling to survive each week, while living a seemingly "normal' life.

Spencer and his fiancee rent a decent house in rural Tuakau - a small town south of Auckland near Pukekohe; and they own a car.

UPDATE: Questions raised over Tuakau couple's hard luck story

However, their car registration expired last week and they can't afford to have it renewed.

"You could walk past us in the street, we look very boring and normal, and you would never know," Spencer said.

"We don't drink, we don't gamble, we aren't drug addicts, we don't have heaps of debt... We are thinking about other people in the community who might be struggling as well."

The couple said they were doing well financially, until they both had to give up work last year due to sickness.

Spencer's fiancee has multiple health issues and was also diagnosed with an adrenal gland tumour in July last year.

A few months later a [non-cancerous] lump was found under Spencer's arm.

He had to stop working in December.

"I couldn't even lift my arm and it's been downhill since then. I want to work but I can't at the moment."

Spencer said the couple only qualified for minimum Work and Income support.

"We have to be certified by a doctor as sick for two years before we qualify for additional money. WINZ payments for both of us total less than the minimum wage if one of us was working. We also have no food entitlement left."

"To think this time last year we were fine and now we are on the bones of our arse."

On April 12, Work and Income wrote to Spencer and declined his application for a food grant.

The letter said he was being paid the maximum weekly payment he was currently entitled to - $315.68 - and had already been paid [the maximum] $500 to help with food in the past six months.

The couple pay $430 a week in rent and water costs - and they are now in arrears.

"We are behind in the rent and the landlord has been absolutely lovely about it. Anyone else would have kicked us out long ago," Spencer said.

The couple said they couldn't afford to move to a cheaper rental.

"And the problem is the moving costs...bond, rent in advance, letting fee..."

Spencer had to take his phone to Cash Converters recently so the couple could afford to buy food.

"I had to get a loan on my phone to get something to eat. We took a phone, a stereo, a Breville mixer - even the engagement ring - we've taken quite a lot of stuff to Cash Converters."

Spencer said Budgeting and Family Support Services in Tuakau had been a huge help.

"We've been clients of them since December 4 last year and basically we are [surviving] because of them."

"But a lot of people don't know they are there. People don't donate to them; if they do it's only at Christmas."

This week's $3 bought two litres of milk.

"That's it. It's definitely stressful," Spencer said.

"It's makes you realise the things you take for granted. Things as simple as a cup of tea. We are down to one meal a day now."

* In light of recent developments, in regards to the financial situation of the couple featured in this story, those who would like to make donations of food, are asked to contact Budgeting and Family Support Services Tuakau directly, emailceo@mangerebudget.org.nz, or phone 236 9804.