Tariana Turia is to be the minister in charge of implementing the Whanau Ora policy - potentially the biggest shake-up of the welfare system in decades.

Winz has started bumping people off the invalids benefit, months before new work tests officially come into force, beneficiary advocates say.

Susan St John, associate professor in the economics department of the University of Auckland Business School and spokeswoman for the Child Poverty Action Group, questions the results claimed for new rules on benefits.

An ex-gangster's wife has admitted using documents to dishonestly claim $12,000 from taxpayers.

Paula Bennett admits that part of her welfare reforms breach the Bill of Rights Act but says it would not bother most people.

Work testing sole parents on the DPB is an unjustifiable breach of human rights, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson told Parliament today.

Long-term unemployed, sickness beneficiaries and single mothers on the DPB with children over six are about to come under extra scrutiny under new Govt reforms.

More than 150,000 people have petitioned to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, but Act says $12.75 is already too much. Simon Collins investigates.

A man who stole the identities of dead infants to commit benefit fraud gave himself up after 16 years on the run.

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.