Latest fromMinistry of Social Development
Kahui advice ignored
A key recommendation in the landmark coroner's finding into the Kahui twins' deaths has been ignored by the Government in its child abuse white paper.
Govt to track at-risk kids
A database of about 30,000 "at risk" children is to be created and accessed by government workers without parental knowledge as part of an overhaul of laws tackling child cruelty.
How the new system will work
The new child protection system will bring teachers, doctors and social services together to protect each of New Zealand's 20,000 to 30,000 most vulnerable children.
Govt eyes school-food aid
Food programmes for hungry Kiwi schoolchildren may soon get a boost from the Government to top off an overwhelming public response to recent media appeals.
Teen welfare hard, some say
Teens among the first "guinea pigs" for a new money management system for welfare say they get enough for food - but not for transport, baby supplies and medical costs.
'The jobs just are not there'
Jack Daylight came to protest against welfare reform because he wants a job. He was arrested yesterday outside the Ministry of Social Development's office in Auckland.
Ex-MP arrested at protest
Former MP Sue Bradford and four others will appear in court on Friday after a protest action at the Ministry of Social Development's Auckland regional office today.
Huffing deaths: 'A real grey area'
Ministers agree a cross-party approach to address the issue of deaths from sniffing butane-based solvents is needed, but are passing the buck on who should lead it.
Nats starting to look 'plain nasty'
Toby Manhire says slash a parent's benefit and you hurt their children - children who, chances are, already have it extremely tough. To argue otherwise is fantasyland.
Huffing deaths: 'A lost generation'
The Government has done nothing to stop a "lost generation" of youths from killing themselves by sniffing butane-based solvents, the Chief Coroner says.
Bennett out-nannies Labour
Dr Andrew Cardow says Paula Bennett appears to be working under the belief that beneficiaries do not have the wherewithal to decide what is best for their children.
Editorial: Compulsory pre-school a boon for all
Editorial: Early education has not been a priority for this Government. But having made it compulsory for beneficiaries National will find it hard to argue against wider compulsion.
$78b for a lifetime of benefits - report
A new report shows all people who were receiving a benefit from June last year would cost a total of $78 billion over their life-times if they stayed on a benefit.
Fear over beneficiary child changes
Early childhood experts are in shock after a government decision to make education compulsory from the age of 3 for children of welfare beneficiaries.
Breakfast is not too much to ask
Editorial: A simple breakfast is not much to ask and should be provided for all children who need it. But if it is to be public funded, the food should be distributed by agencies that know a community.
Bennett's new benefit drug-test rules
Drug testing of beneficiaries will come into force next year, with penalties for those who fail tests.