Kate MurrayCommunity Link has launched its Cold Kids Campaign for 2026, with the charity forecasting significantly increased demand as cost-of-living challenges continue. Community Link Upper Clutha general manager Kate Murray said the purpose of the campaign was to raise funds to support families struggling with the increased financial pressure winter brought, particularly the cost of heating their homes. ‘‘Wānaka is a really expensive place to live and it has... workers who aren’t paid at the top end of incomes. ‘‘The price of food, electricity and firewood had drastically increased, and we forecast that we would probably need to raise about $65,000 to support the increased demand for help that we anticipated. The tournament raised $48,000 for the Cold Kids Campaign, but with increased demand anticipated, every dollar would help to get vulnerable families through the winter.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 12, 2026 17:58 UTC