Welfare debts pushing thousands into 'poverty trap'
Punitive charges and interest penalties force thousands into debt trap.
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Latest from Social Welfare
Govt finalises huge expansion of social safety net, funded by tax hike
Government will shortly announce one of the biggest expansions of the social safety net.
Covid-19: Expected rush of unemployment benefit applications from unvaccinated workers
A range of support is available with roles impacted by Public Health Orders.
Wellington vs. Auckland: New study reveals which city is less stressful
Feeling stressed? The city you live in could be contributing.
Chlöe Swarbrick: NZ paying Covid price for unfairly tilted system
Covid erupting among political have-nots was tipping point for managing pandemic in NZ.
More than two thirds of the children who died in state care since 2017 were Māori
Out of the children who died, 23 were Māori.
'Beaten up, neglected, rejected': One woman's early life in state care
Woman says her time in a welfare residence has affected her life ever since.
Poorest Kiwis owe $4 billion to Government, with no end in sight
The poorest New Zealanders owe nearly $4 billion to the Government.
National: Flexi-wage jobs scheme off-track as benefit numbers rise
Since the latest lockdown began the number of those on Jobseeker has risen more than 8000.
'Change must come': Mixed views on Oranga Tamariki shake-up
Te Pāti Māori is threatening another hīkoi if the agency does not change its act fast.
'By Māori, for Māori' expected from Oranga Tamariki review
Big changes expected following a review into the agency being published today.
Opinion | Welfare doled out with cruelty and inhumanity
OPINION: Anna Casey-Cox writes welfare provision in New Zealand lacks a heart.
Delta outbreak: Govt pumps $10m more into food parcels, essential items
More than $69 million has provided to support providers and community organisations.
Don't retire poor: How to avoid hardship in your twilight years
Time is power when investing and people need to take control of their own retirement
'Every day it's increasing': Demand for food parcels skyrockets in lockdown
"For most, lockdown is an inconvenience, but for those doing it tough, it's desperate."
Lockdown Hero: Tony's Restaurant owner serves up food parcels during lockdown
The owner of a popular steakhouse is cooking for those in need despite his store closure.
Isolating families struggle to access food
Households forced to self-isolate are going hungry as no one is allowed to leave.
Labour's Sir Michael Cullen dies at 76
Michael Cullen's parliamentary career began in 1981 and ended in 2009.
Government lifts lid on Budget 2021
The Government was advised doubling benefit increase would lift thousands out of poverty.
Some Kiwis stuck in Australia may lose superannuation payments
Pensioners struggling to get home are having their superannuation payments stopped.
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.
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.