Figures showing most household incomes didn’t rise inside the last year are being seen as a stark reminder of the financial hardship many Kiwis face.

Statistics New Zealand’s Income Survey shows most incomes were stagnant over the year to June 2012.

Council of Trade Unions economist, Bill Rosenberg, says the wage system in New Zealand is letting people down.

“If truth be told you spot our budget advisory services saying that folk are doing such things as cashing of their KiwiSaver savings, being forced into the equivalent of bankruptcy.”

Mr Rosenberg says the survey shows an increasing dependency on benefits and dealing For Families.