Latest fromMinistry of Social Development
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Red-flag plan for at-risk children
A "red flag" identifying at-risk children for schools, doctors and police is expected to be floated by the Government.
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Sir Peter Blake awards: Sam Johnson
Today the Weekend Herald salutes the winners of the annual Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards, which honour one of the country's greatest leaders, the late Sir Peter Blake.
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Editorial: CYF must act when babies at risk
Fewer in the community are prepared to turn a blind eye to child abuse.
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Dole-funded jaunt leads to charges
Criminal charges have been laid against an unemployed man who travelled the world for two years courtesy of the taxpayer. Peter Freedom left for Australia in 2009 but his benefit payments were not stopped until last January.
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Revealed: $100k-plus beneficiary homes
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has ordered an investigation into at least 50 households...
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Paul Holmes: Nothing for free - it's the basic welfare rule
Cutting benefit costs a tough task, but there are avoidable mistakes.
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Bennett: No compulsory contraception for now
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is "a big fan" of long acting contraception for solo mums but says her Government is "not quite" at the stage of making it compulsory.
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PM: Welfare system must be clearer on work
John Key says proposed reforms of the welfare sector will be rolled out in the lead up to the general election, and he says the system should make it clear that people must support themselves if they can.
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Deborah Coddington: Stop paying abusers to breed
When you have children, your whole life changes and you must try to defend your child from harm no matter what.
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Mental health boost aims to cut welfare rolls
Health training funds are being redirected into mental health.
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Skilled labour shortages loom after Budget cuts
Christchurch rebuild, leaky-home repairs will be pressure points.
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Henare uses Twitter to attack Harawira
National Party MP Tau Henare says ex-MP Hone Harawira is "so racist, he puts chocolate milk in his cup of tea".