'Unacceptable' grants for gang family force Winz rethink

Work and Income has set up special arrangements to deal with a Christchurch gang family after finding its staff gave unacceptable grants in an apparent attempt to keep a "rapport" and "establish trust".

Work and Income reviewed its handling of the Harris family after it was revealed it paid towing and impoundment fees for Marcia Harris' 2007 Chrysler saloon, despite Ms Harris being caught driving unlawfully on a suspended licence.

Ms Harris is the wife of Darryl Harris - a former Road Knight and founder of the city's Harris Gang.

In 2007, Work and Income also paid about $230 a night for the family to stay at The Towers in Christchurch for 10 days after their house burned down.

A summary of the report released under the Official Information Act said both decisions were "unacceptable".

It said the case manager dealing with Ms Harris had gone outside usual policies in an attempt to "maintain a rapport" with her. As a result, there was a failure to question Ms Harris properly or consider alternatives.

Yesterday, Minister of Social Development Paula Bennett said the family had an "extensive history" with Work and Income.

"They have a well-publicised history of intimidation and violence which Work and Income has to consider when working with the family."

She said she had made it clear the decisions were "unacceptable".

"I've been assured all future Work and Income decisions regarding assistance to the Harris family will be examined thoroughly, and I will hold the ministry to this. It is simply unacceptable for anyone to receive assistance from the State that they are not entitled to."

She said Ms Harris' file had been handed to another staff member, who was instructed to consult others on decisions. The original case manager was to have no further involvement.

The regional commission and regional director would also oversee the management of all Ms Harris' immediate family members who were getting benefits.

Much of the report is deleted, but it reveals Ms Harris had also received other payments - to such an extent that the file was referred to the ministry's fraud unit "to ensure there was no implication of staff fraud or collusion to commit benefit fraud".

The fraud unit checks showed some decisions were outside Work and Income's policy guidelines, but no staff fraud was identified.

The national director was to brief regional directors on the report to ensure any other "exceptional" cases were handled properly.

In January Work and Income's deputy chief executive Patricia Reade said Ms Harris would be required to repay the money.

The Herald could not contact Ms Harris.