Latest fromMinistry of Social Development
Nadine Higgins: Navigating parental leave - financial tips for new parents
The financial fishhooks in parental leave policy.
‘Very vulnerable’: Calls for govt help as homelessness surges 53%
Support agencies see increased demand; emergency housing numbers have dropped.
‘More than just a meal’: Woman fights for kai costs to be covered at husband’s tangi
Authority rules in her favour saying kai is an 'ordinary and integral' part of a tangi.
400 applications, no job: Woman ‘cannot live’ as unemployment reaches four-year high
Suzanne George has been job hunting for more than a year in Wellington.
Critics slam 'punitive' new benefit sanctions
Some job seekers will have to do three job-search activities weekly for four weeks.
Govt adds new sanctions to beneficiary traffic light scheme
The minister says consequences for job seekers are having a 'positive impact'.
'Can't do without us': Community rallies to save support hub
The Te Puke Food Hub will keep its doors open for now but still needs extra funding.
'Loss of dignity': Benefit fraudster wins compo for privacy breach during MSD investigation
Peter Thomas and his wife defrauded two agencies out of a combined $227,000.
'Housing is a human right': Tamariki in Hamilton emergency motels drops from 516 to 165
Households in emergency housing motels dropped from 507 in 2023, to 144 in November 2024.
'Particularly unfair': NZSAS soldier’s compo taxed higher because he was hurt offshore
Veterans left paying more tax if they were injured in disaster and war zones.
Government to end emergency housing contracts with two more Rotorua motels
Two more motels will stop being contracted by the Government for emergency housing.
Opinion: No room at the inn for homeless Kiwis needing help at Xmas
OPINION: Community providers are increasingly having to turn away applicants.
'Trust the process': Te Pāti Māori defends marae voting process
Te Pāti Māori claims the Electoral Commission bowed to political pressure over the voting.
MSD ‘concerned’ one-in-four beneficiaries getting paid wrong
The minister admitted it was 'challenging'.
PM says economy is 'turning a corner' but unemployment a 'particular concern'
Jobseeker numbers have swelled to 65,000 above Christopher Luxon's target.
Mary Holm: Will helping out an older friend affect my pension?
OPINION: Most of the answers to a prospective carer's questions are pretty good news.
Number of denied emergency housing applications rises
Renters United says the figures make 'a mockery' of Govt's claims about emergency housing.
Labour claims ‘cover-up’ as weekly reporting on benefit numbers cancelled
Minister Louise Upston has directed her officials to stop publishing weekly updates.
19 separate identities and $82k stolen: Man jailed for part in Covid relief fraud
The high-trust model was exploited during a time of national crisis.
Job market woes mean high beneficiary numbers in Northland
Companies being cautious with their spending equalled more cautious employing.
Police move to seize land and cash related to alleged $2m Winz fraud
The men, who are linked to an Auckland furniture company, haven't been arrested.
Budget advisers say people struggling with tens of thousands of dollars in Work and Income debt
Loans, housing costs, death of a partner and unemployment are main causes of poverty.
Record benefit number sparks unemployment warning
Just over 6% of the population, or 204,765, were on Jobseeker Support in September.
Number of benefits cut more than doubles in a year
Missed appointments and failing to prepare for work have contributed to the cuts.
'Sanctions have done nothing': Jobseekers say they struggle under traffic light pressure
Young people on the benefit say they're barely surviving as they struggle to find work.
‘Mean-spirited’: Labour attacks Govt decision on hardship assistance for sanctioned beneficiaries
MSD recommended beneficiaries on non-financial sanctions have access to hardship payments.
'Demeaning': Mum relying on donations for son's life saving monitor
A $3000 life-saving epilepsy monitor has been funded by The Den Maungaturoto.