Latest from Ministry of Social Development

MSD arsonist may have burns on face: police

Arsonist smashed window and threw molotov cocktail inside; damaged office remains closed

Council takes legal action: Emergency housing motel 'misery' must stop

Nine motels operating emergency housing in Rotorua are being taken to court.

'Pretty scary': Auckland WINZ building forced into lockdown

Police received reports of a potential situation involving a weapon around 9am.

Trades training receives $230m boost in Budget 2022

The investment will provide support for another 24,000 apprentices.

Budget 2022: Nearly $1b to disability sectors and changes to benefits

Benefit changes are expected to lift up to 14,000 more children out of poverty.

Budget: The cost of living and what's in it for you

New payments, fuel tax and public transport relief have been extended.

National calls for investigation into $7.8m MSD contracts

The procurement process involved conflicts of interest that were not declared.

'Toxic environment': A third of city's family harm calls to emergency lodgings

The council says in 2018 there were 70 family harm call outs a week. Now it's 120.

Wage subsidy saved close to half Kiwi jobs - report

47 per cent of New Zealand jobs received at least one of the 2021 wage subsidies.

'Too many desperate families': Thousands in need of food as Omicron wreaks havoc

One support service says it has never seen demand as high as during the current outbreak.

Dying wish: Covid dad pleaded for food for family from hospital bed

The father-of-one died almost a month after being admitted to hospital.

Almost 80 bullying or sexual harassment accusations levelled against ACC staff in last five years

Since 2017 67 bullying complaints were raised about ACC employees.

'So much anxiety': Isolating solo mum's struggle to afford basics shared by many

Omicron: People who have never needed help to afford food are now having to use a foodbank

'It's really tough': Rental crisis adds to pressure on emergency housing

For every seven homes up for sale in Hawke's Bay, there is just one rental available

'Toxic': Dozens of sexual harassment, bullying, assault allegations at govt ministry

One worker said people were 'terrified' to speak out.

Housing crisis: 'Highest priority' households rise from 3 to 258

Homeless charity says just three of its clients have found permanent homes in three years.

New child sexual violence services in limbo

Oranga Tamariki has not had any meetings with Māori to design the new service for children

'You wonder what's happening': Ministry of Social Development begins to sack unvaccinated staff

Despite advice to pause terminations, an MSD worker has received a termination letter.