Latest fromMinistry of Social Development
Tough welfare laws loom this year
New laws to make sole parents look for work after their youngest children turn 6 will be phased in over several years, the Govt says.
Community groups unite to lobby Super City
Organisations discussing how 'social policy forum' will work best.
Families with kids feel pinch hardest
An official survey has found that families with children are far more likely to be in hardship than any other New Zealanders.
Blues help keep youngsters up to mark
There seemed to be more laughing and joking going on than rugby as some deserving teens got to test their skills against their sporting idols.
<i>Kerre Woodham:</i> Kick abusers off the dole
If some beneficiaries are too dangerous to be dealt with face-to-face, their benefits should be cancelled says Kerre Woodham.
$1000-plus welfare grants for other people's children
Thirteen of the 20 highest-paid beneficiaries and almost a third of those on more than $1000 a week are looking after other people's children.
Commissioner won't define Maori policy because she's white
The head of the Families Commission today told MPs she couldn't define a policy with a Maori name because she was a middle class white woman.
PM: It's okay to give light smacks
John Key says a new review gives parents the go-ahead to lightly smack their children without the fear of prosecution.
Fraudster managed stash from jail
NZ's biggest benefit fraudster manipulated a web of offshore accounts from prison in a bid to hide the $3.4m he stole from taxpayers.
Investigation over National MP's flyer
The State Services Commission has ordered an investigation into a Labour Party complaint about National MP Paul Quinn.
Faults flagged in $29m family project
The Government's biggest home visiting programme is under review after researchers found its US counterpart failed to reduce child abuse.