Children go hungry amid plenty
A quarter of primary and intermediate pupils in poorer Waikato areas go to school hungry, researchers have found.
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Latest fromSocial Welfare
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.
Welfare reforms pass first reading
The bill pushing ahead with the Government's second wave of welfare reforms passed its first reading in Parliament today.
Hammer attack on Winz office
A disgruntled disabled Work and Income client allegedly smashed two windows at the department's Kaikohe office with a hammer.
'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.
Reforms target benefit 'trap'
The Government's latest welfare reforms will help get people out of the "trap" of benefit dependency, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.
'One strike' rule for beneficiaries
Second bill in welfare reform cancels payments for those who refuse offer of 'suitable' job.
Welfare reforms introduced
Legislation introducing an "investment approach'' to welfare has been signed off by the Cabinet and will go before a select committee after its first reading in Parliament.
Benefit ‘no excuse for hard line’
The Finance Minister denies the Government will use a $78 billion valuation of the lifelong cost of benefits as an excuse to get the public to buy into a harder line on welfare.
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.
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.
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.
Vote now: Should beneficiaries be drug tested?
Drug testing of beneficiaries comes in next year, with penalties for those who fail. What's your view on the government's policy?
Bennett's new benefit drug-test rules
Drug testing of beneficiaries will come into force next year, with penalties for those who fail tests.
Tapu Misa: Paula Bennett so sure she's right
What part do facts play in the welfare debate, and how much is "truthiness" getting in the way?