A public servant is under investigation over allegations that he said beneficiaries were "stupid" for having children.

A further 3500 young people on welfare could have their spending tightly controlled by an adult supervisor if National is re-elected.

The Government is to extend its control of spending by young beneficiaries to all teen parents and many 18 and 19-year-olds.

A Hastings woman who died following an overdose made two calls to emergency helplines that went unanswered before her death.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has released plans to restore some incentives for solo parents who take up full-time study.

An Auckland mother with terminal cancer who is sharing a two-bedroom flat with her four sons is worried they won't cope in the small space as her condition deteriorates.

A single parents' group says "a complete change of mindset" has helped reduce the number of people on the sole parent benefit to the lowest level in more than 20 years.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is naturally happy to attribute a big reduction in the state's welfare liability to the Government's efforts.

Of 8,001 beneficiaries sent for jobs requiring drug testing, only 22 tested positive or refused to take tests, a result that has been greeted as a victory by the Social Development Minister.

NZ's child abuse rates are higher than anyone ever realised, officials admit, after bureaucrats bungled the numbers for more than two years.

New powers allowing welfare officials to secretly approach beneficiaries' banks or workplaces if they suspected them of committing fraud are being questioned.

Fast-food giant McDonald's has been paid $272,000 by the Government to help unemployed people get back to work.

Former residents of a home for troubled kids have launched a $500,000 lawsuit against the Govt for claims of physical and sexual abuse.

Nearly 100 beneficiaries on the run from police have had their welfare cut in the six weeks since the policy was introduced, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

The amount fines and reparations owed has dropped to the lowest level in almost a decade.

Funding for talk therapy is drying up just as increasing numbers of Kiwis are feeling comfortable talking about their problems.

An Auckland teenager who has spent much of his life in state care is warning poor quality caregivers are responsible for filling our jails with criminals.

A doctor's certificate is often a ticket to social welfare. From this week it becomes a recipe for work. At least - that's the hope.

Mentally ill people will be moved off state-funded benefits and into work using private employment agencies who will earn hefty fees for the service.

Prisoners in privately run Mt Eden Corrections Facility were able to access the internet through faulty computer kiosks a security review of public sector computer systems has found.

A review of Government information systems' security found weak points in 12 agencies which have now been addressed.

A drug and alcohol educator says P-making chemicals are often stored in food and drink containers, within reach of unsuspecting children.

People who apply for a state house may be directed instead to a charitable housing provider under a bill introduced in the wake of this week's Budget.