489 homes damaged in West Coast flooding, 153 people still displaced
Update from West Coast Emergency Management says 89 homes suffered severe or total damage.
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Latest fromSocial Welfare
Judicial review heard over coronial inquest into death of Wendy Shoebridge
The High Court Justice has reserved his decision.
MSD reimburses mother $13k after years of unfair sanctions
Woman who was unfairly sanctioned for failing to name her child's father has been repaid.
Oranga Tamariki wrong not to follow up abuse reports, review finds
Agency got it wrong by not investigating 9 out of 14 reports of possible abuse or neglect.
Long-term Jobseeker support surges, Labour and National blame each other
The number of people on Jobseeker support increased by nearly 50,000 in the past year.
Brian Fallow: Making pensioners poorer isn't a Super idea
Treasury needs better ideas for containing the rising cost of NZ Superannuation.
'Bassinets for the rich:' $35m baby bonus windfall for wealthy
Calls for targeting of Best Start after $35m paid out to families on six-figure incomes.
'Totally unacceptable': Davis on Oranga Tamariki child restraint
'It is a difficult job but there is no excuse for what we have seen in the videos.'
Govt pays $100 million to top emergency motel providers in nine months
Minister defends the spending as "better than forcing people to live in cars or in tents".
Covid-19 benefit-fraud investigations pause sees backlog
Staff were diverted to the wage subsidy with investigations to last at least another year.
Benefit fraud prosecutions drop 90 per cent in five years
The value of overpayments investigated has also dropped from $48.8m to $12.3m.
Housing crisis, Covid-19 see $200m transitional housing budget blowout
Grants for Kiwis in desperate situations also increased over $200m from the year prior.
Government invests $10m in support programme for Māori women in prison
The announcement was made at Christchurch Women's Prison today.
Heather du Plessis-Allan: Labour's Budget 'timid and cautious'
OPINION: The Australian Budget is "ambitious and bold" by comparison.
'Keeping an open mind': PM on border re-opening
Ardern talks borders, the Covid fund and the benefits boost in a post-Budget interview.
Women left behind in Budget 2021
OPINION: The lack of a gender lens makes New Zealand a laggard compared to Australia.
Australia v NZ: You can tell a lot about a country by the way it budgets
THE CONVERSATION: Earlier this year, Oz treasurer scoffed at idea of a wellbeing budget.
Ardern hits back at claims Budget not for jobs, middle New Zealand
"People from all walks of life often raise with me the issue of poverty," Ardern says.
'The money left over wouldn't stretch to a new sweater': Beneficiary bags budget
Two solo parents at either end of NZ are doing it tough and wonder if much will change.
Housing forum, NorthChamber welcome benefit increase
Calls by community leaders for more clarity around Budget allocation for Northland.
Editorial: A very Labour Budget in a very unusual time
Grant Robertson's Budget won't please all, but the outlook is better than most expected.
Liam Dann: Robertson looks to keep 'better-than-expected' story rolling
Better luck next year: Business disappointed but forecasts suggest more stimulus to come.
Auckland Action Against Poverty invites PM Ardern to discuss benefit payments
The Auckland Action Against Poverty group invites PM Jacinda Ardern to meet with them and discuss a lift in benefit levels. Video / Supplied
Budget 2021: Beneficiary advocacy group calls benefit increase 'weak'
Auckland Action Against Poverty says the increase does not restore dignity for families
Government announces $3.3 billion to lift 33,000 children out of poverty
Weekly benefit rates will be lifted by between $32 and $55 per adult by April 2022.
Elana Connor's solo sail around NZ raises $43k for teens in care
A seven-month circumnavigation of NZ is over for American solo sailor Elana Connor.
Political Roundup: Will the Government take the poverty crisis seriously?
Political Roundup: Will the Government take the poverty crisis seriously?
Rape, digging your own grave, mock executions part of horrific Social Welfare camp
''The supervisors told us we were getting executed and we've got to dig our graves.''
Woman's suspicion about miscarriage validated during inquiry
A woman raped by welfare home staff outlines her ordeal.
Homeless shelter: 'I felt sick just being in there'
Opinion: Some young people feel safer on the streets than in emergency accommodation.
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.
'Inhumane': Minister takes aim at emergency housing
Associate Housing Minister Marama Davidson not satisfied emergency housing is fully safe.
Cost blowout for $56m inquiry into care
Inquiry warned to watch costs after seeking funding top-ups three times.
Emergency housing: Woman beaten unconscious, children being 'put at risk'
Distressing revelations about life in emergency housing continue to emerge.