Latest from Ministry of Social Development

Aid agency funds to be tightened

Some agencies are expected to close in a radical revamp of social service funding unveiled by Social Development Minister Anne Tolley.

Income-related rent subsidies increase

An extra 3000 tenants will be entitled to the income-related rent subsidy under changes outlined in the Budget.

Income gap widened faster in NZ - OECD

The income gap between children and the elderly has widened faster in New Zealand than in other developed countries during the recent recession, a new report shows.

Ministry slammed for spending on colour therapy

Fast-track settlements for victims

More than 860 victims who were abused while in state care have been given the option of a fast-track settlement.

Boy got sick to avoid daycare

Hine felt the centre was not a good fit for her son, and that they didn't understand her culture. Her boy would cry every day when she dropped him off.

Change drives anti-rape leader out

Sexual violence survivor advocate Dr Kim McGregor has resigned from the agency because its board has decided to narrow its focus.

Preschool ID numbers concern

Pressure to broaden the use of identification numbers attached to preschoolers has concerned the Privacy Commissioner.

Top 10 wrongly paid benefits: $2.14m

The ten largest amounts of wrongly acquired benefits totaled more than $2.14m last year - but advocates say most of the $23 billion paid out was genuinely needed.

Drop in public sector jobs

The number of core public servants has fallen well below the Government’s cap.

Commission's rebrand really Gauls

The Families Commission is rebranding today taking a name which almost identical to that of a French supermarket chain.

Smith swindled thousands from taxpayer

Convicted murderer and paedophile Phillip John Smith swindled thousands of dollars from the taxpayer, using false documents when studying in prison.

Beneficiary awarded more than $20,000

A beneficiary has been awarded more than $20,000 after Housing New Zealand was found to have been over-collecting private information about him.

MSD hints at superannuation review

The Ministry of Social Development has signalled a need to “explore options relating to the age of eligibility” for NZ superannuation, and wants a review of benefit rates to tackle child poverty.

98 jobs to go at MSD, 107 to be made

Nearly 100 jobs are set to go at Work and Income - but the government says even more new roles will be created.

John Armstrong: Taxpayer looks the loser in English's pet reform

Bill English's masterplan to radically "reform" the Labour-initiated, octogenarian state housing scheme has all the hallmarks of being ideological for ideology's sake.