Many families are having to choose between healthy food, or a roof over their heads

An Auckland University and Otago University Wellington study shows nearly half of New Zealand families struggle to access healthy food, in the first year of a child's life.

The study finds that food hardship in the early years of a child's life has a lasting impact on their nutrition.

Mangere Budgeting Services boss Darryl Evans says most families are doing the best they can, but with baby formula, nappies, rent, and more - sometimes that's just not enough.

He says about 63 percent of the families he works with are paying 65 percent of their wage to private landlords - which has a major impact on what children can eat.