15 Nov 2012

NZ told to protect social welfare system

9:19 am on 15 November 2012

United Nations Development Programme administrator Helen Clark says New Zealand must protect its social welfare system as a safeguard against future shocks.

The former prime minister made the comment during a lecture on poverty and inequality in Dunedin on Wednesday night.

Miss Clark said New Zealand should never underestimate the value of its social welfare system, which pulls people through economic shocks and natural disasters.