Benefits
Metiria Turei under investigation for benefit fraud
Green Party co-leader, Metiria Turei, is under investigation for benefit fraud. Audio
'It sets you up to make you feel inadequate'
It’s ‘criminal’ how difficult the welfare system is to navigate, even for people who can advocate for themselves, an Auckland actor says. Audio
Thousands of people getting wrong Working for Families payments
Forty percent of people receiving Working For Families payments are being underpaid and about 25 percent are getting too much. Audio
Split views on Meteria Turei's benefit fraud admission
The Ministry of Social Development won't say whether it will take action against the Greens co-leader Metiria Turei after she admitted to benefit fraud as a solo mother 24 years ago. Audio
Deputy PM Paula Bennett reacts to Turei benefit fraud admission
Deputy Prime Minister, Paula Bennett responds to Metiria Turei's revelations that she lied to Work and Income while on a benefit. Mrs Bennett says while she was on a benefit herself as young mother… Audio
New campaign wants to end benefit docking over father ID
A campaign is being launched today to stop solo mothers having their benefit docked if they fail to identify the fathers of their children. The sanction is described as excessively punitive. Audio
Govt not ruling out further benefits increases
The Government is not ruling out further increases to paid parental leave or benefits as it rolls out new policies. Audio
Welfare cost savings estimated at $12b
Finance Minister Bill English has updated cost savings from the government's welfare reforms, saying $12 billion in future costs have been cut.
Call for apology over benefit cut error
The Ministry of Social Development has admitted it was wrong to cut the benefit of a woman with an intellectual disability who went on a family holiday overseas. Audio
Labour proposes benefit back-pay process
Labour is working with the government to correct an error that meant beneficiaries were underpaid for many years, the party's leader says.
Govt accused of giving with one hand and taking with the other
The Government's being accused of giving with one hand, and taking with the other with its proposed 25-dollars a week increase in benefits. Audio
Jobseeker benefit for cancer patients 'ludicrous'
Hundreds of cancer patients are being placed on the Jobseeker benefit while they are getting treatment. Audio
Labour urges rethink on benefits for cancer sufferers
Hundreds of cancer sufferers are being required to jump through bureaucratic hoops because of changes made to benefits two years ago. Labour's Social Development Spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni says… Audio
About 2000 children hit when parents lose benefits
New data shows about 2000 children on any one day are living in households where their parents have lost up to half their benefits. Audio
Fresh evidence of thousands of children hit by benefit cuts
The Ministry of Social Development has provided a snapshot of the number of children whose parents had lost up to half their benefits for failing to, for the most part, turn up for a meeting. Audio
Thousands of children hit by benefit sanctions
New data shows about 2000 children on any one day are living in households where their parents have lost up to half their benefits because they've failed to turn up to an appointment in most cases. Audio
Give beneficiaries the money they're owed - Greens
The Green Party is calling for beneficiaries to be paid in full for a Government mistake that has led to years of underpayments.
Labour calls for Housing NZ dividend cut
The Labour Party is calling for the Government to invest some of the dividend it demands from Housing New Zealand back into state house maintenance. Audio
Work and Income experience 'upsetting'
An Auckland man speaking from his own experience says he can understand why the number of eviction orders and assaults at Work and Income have risen.
Minister out of touch with beneficiaries - Greens
The Green Party has accused Associate Social Development Minister Jo Goodhew of being out of touch with the pressures beneficiaries are under. Audio