an underbelly of poverty

わが第二，いや第三のふるさとNew Zealandも不況の波に洗われているようです。ここのan underbelly of povertyはどのような意味でしょうか。Sugiuchiくん，君しかいない。（UG）
Poverty in New Zealand 'shocking'
CHRIS GARDNER Last updated 11:57 27/01/2012

A British debt counsellor invited to take part in a social justice panel discussion at the Parachute Christian Music Festival says he has seen an underbelly of poverty in New Zealand that is shocking.

John Kirkby, who founded Christians Against Poverty (CAP) in the UK 15 years ago which has expanded into Australia and New Zealand, said he was always careful not to label something "the worst".

"But there are things I have seen in Australia and New Zealand . . ." he said. "Sixty seven per cent of our clients can't feed their kids. One third of them have contemplated suicide. It was their level of poverty . . . this is the 21st century."

CAP runs free debt counselling services through churches in 34 New Zealand centres, run by 80 staff and 250 money coaches, including two in the Waikato. Both Raleigh Street Christian Centre in Cambridge and Waihi Baptist Church run CAP debt counselling services.

Kirkby, who founded the charity after losing his UK home in the early 1990s and ended up living in a bed sit, said New Zealand's level of poverty had surprised him , "and I am still working as a case worker.

"I have been shocked by what I have seen in your country. Children without shoes whose parents cannot find them breakfast. You have some massive, massive problems."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6323829/Poverty-in-New-Zealand-shocking