Latest from Social Welfare

Editorial: Govt opts for caution and stability

The most notable item in the Government's third term agenda outlined to Parliament yesterday is an intention to hold "job fairs" in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane aimed at New Zealand....

Peter Lyons: Ignoring super is political hypocrisy

If an investment approach is suitable for other beneficiaries, education and healthcare it should also be applied to government superannuation, writes Peter Lyons.

Appeal strikes chord with pianist

A pianist who was homeless in Hollywood for a year and a half says he never lacked for company on the streets.

Housing role split part of reshuffle

Prime Minister John Key has split housing issues across three ministers as National speeds up its shift toward developing social housing by private providers and reducing reliance on state....

Peter Calder: An open letter to our leaders

Dear John and David. Please forgive the first-name familiarity. I'm older than you are so it doesn't feel terribly out of order.

Dita De Boni: ChCh locals left out in the cold

When I was in Christchurch recently to interview the two main candidates in the Christchurch Central electorate, I was shocked to see that people on the street seemed even more weary than ever.

Loan scheme to knock out 'loan sharks'

Almost 1 million families will be eligible for low- and no-interest loans under a new Government-backed scheme aimed at saving low-income families from "loan sharks".

Dr Ellen Nicholson and Jenni Mace: How to keep our youth safe and in homes

Dr Ellen Nicholson and Jenni Mace detail six ways to keep young people safe through adolescence.

Social worker sacked over missing child

Life is sweet - Kiwis in Oz answer critics

Life is just fine for many Kiwis living in Australia who say they have nothing to moan about after crossing the Tasman in search of a better life.

Pre-job testing finds few on drugs

Just one in 100 beneficiaries who had pre-employment drug tests under a new government policy showed any sign of drug abuse.

'Cave' people first for housing

'Cave' dwellers will officially get top priority for social housing under new rules that kicked in this week.

Editorial: Travel is not a right for those taking welfare

Editorial: The news that at least 21,000 beneficiaries have travelled overseas in the past nine months had a predictable response.

Travelling beneficiaries' payments cut

More than 21,000 beneficiaries have had their benefits cut for going on unapproved overseas trips in the last nine months.

Deborah Hart: Breaking the warfare mentality of Family Court

Family disputes are problems to be professionally mediated rather than wars that will be won or lost.

Helplines to merge into single service

Helpline services for smokers, gamblers and other groups are being merged into a new national "telehealth" service - possibly with a simple 111-style number.