Live blog: Budget updates and the best memes and tweets
The Government has just announced its new Budget — but what does it actually mean for you?
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Latest fromMinistry of Social Development
Government to review migrant women's charity Shakti
Ministry launches independent review after whistleblowers claim systemic problems.
Govt's $30m motel emergency housing shake-up 'not a solution', says MP
The Government will directly contract motels for emergency accommodation it's announced.
Govt spends $300k on My Food Bag for beneficiaries and food banks
The Greens have been critical of the scheme, saying the Govt should just raise benefits.
Political Roundup: Have billions been incorrectly paid out in wage subsidy scheme?
OPINION: It has huge financial consequences for the state, and public trust in Government.
Biggest supplier of Govt emergency housing goes into liquidation
Silverfern Property Services received $14.7 million from the Government.
Officials collect no data on crime at emergency housing
No central recording of family harm, crime or social disorder at emergency housing.
Govt spends $5.5m on IT to charge for emergency motel stays
People in emergency accommodation now charged 25 per cent of their income towards costs.
Kerre McIvor: Govt leaving taxpayers in the cold over emergency housing
OPINION: At the very least, taxpayers deserve to know their money's being spent wisely.
Vitamin D: How important is it for babies?
Low levels of the vitamin can cause respiratory illnesses.
The 'motel generation': Nearly 4000 kids are living in motels
'There are babies now being born in motels. It breaks my heart.'
Emergency housing: Woman beaten unconscious, children being 'put at risk'
Distressing revelations about life in emergency housing continue to emerge.
Winston Peters' superannuation overpayment case back in court
Former politician arguing against High Court judge's decision in Court of Appeal.
Emergency housing 'not a safe environment' - locals
The Government is now spending $1 million a day on emergency and transitional housing.
'She can breathe better now': Mum elated at 'warm and dry' home
Her 6-year-old daughter developed lung disease and asthma at their previous state home.
Ngāti Hine leader rejects 'problematic' offer on homeless
It is up to the marae if they want to temporarily house the homeless in Northland.
Migrant says MSD cut support to keep benefit numbers down
'It's become like a battle of attrition,' he says of MSD's emergency benefit programme.
Drugs and gangs: Problems revealed as more children put in emergency housing
'Motels are no places for children,' a local social support advocate says.
School lunches feed pensioners in lockdown
"I didn't realise it was so good, and I'm grateful that the kids are getting this."
Public sector employment boosted post-pandemic, and not only in Wellington
In the year up to last December, 7630 new jobs were created in the public sector.
Beneficiaries in seasonal work set to keep more money
Beneficiaries given greater incentive to work - will it sooth seasonal worker shortage?
Why don't some in emergency housing seem to want a rental?
"It's like they didn't want it ... like they'd rather stay in emergency housing."
889 per cent rise in five years in demand for social housing
Housing register numbers have rocketed across Hawke's Bay in the past five years.
Covid Xmas: City Mission hit with high demand as economic pain bites
One mother drove from Te Awamutu to donate gifts to the Auckland City Mission.
Abuse in state care worse than thought and still happening - report
The Government says a six-year cut-off for complaints against the state could be scrapped.
250,000 Kiwis estimated to have been abused in state and faith based care
Report shows the number of people passing through care possibly six times higher.
Child Poverty: Govt was on track to meet reduction targets ... before Covid-19
Govt needs to lift benefits and build more houses, Children's Commissioner says.
Rental property built in the 1940s deemed unsuitable
Transitional accommodation providers in Northland keen to take up man's offer.
Catholic Church abuse: Victim says church refused to strip honours from abuser
Frances Tagaloa also spoke of the difficulties for Pacific victims in seeking justice.
Kelvin Davis and Oranga Tamariki: 'There will be a handover of power to Māori'
Can Kelvin Davis rebuild Māori trust in Oranga Tamariki?
No work and no income help as Covid-19 payments end
Almost 23,000 people have come to the end of the payment without finding a job.
More than 11,800 working age population on jobseeker benefit
Covid gets the blame for skyrocketing number of Northlanders on jobseeker benefit.
Charge for emergency housing is 'taking money from the poor', charity says
Housing people in motels cost the Govt $83m in the last three months alone.