New Zealand
Solo parent trap: Minister sought advice on controversial policy but no plans for change
Officials provided alternatives to the system in 2024 but these were ultimately dismissed.
Latest from Benefit
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
'Have to do something': Nicola Willis agrees NZ Super needs adjusting as taxpayer burden grows
But Finance Minister says changes don't need to be as dramatic as OECD recommends.
'First in, first served': Auckland mum denied sole parent benefit
MSD said it assessed which parent had greater responsibility for the children.
Woman mistakenly declined benefit as carer for son with celiac disease and diabetes
The ministry did not consider medical advice for the boy's life-threatening condition.
‘It just suckers people in’: Afterpay’s grip on a struggling town
Some Kaikohe residents are now using Afterpay to cover basics like petrol.
'Absolutely disgraceful': Anger as fuel crisis support skips beneficiaries
About 140,000 working families with children will get an extra $50 a week.
NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Friday, March 13, 2026
Morning Headlines | Could standstill in Strait of Hormuz send New Zealand back to the past and benefit numbers hit 12-year high | Friday, March 13, 2026
Govt law change to hit debt payments for 40,000 people
The coalition has introduced legislation that reverses a High Court ruling.
'I’m on 2-minute-noodles': Northland's over 40s shut out of work
Nearly 1400 people aged 40-54 are on Jobseeker Support in Whangārei.
Matthew Hooton: Luxon’s KiwiSaver move is good, now raise the Super age
OPINION: The eligibility age could be raised by three months a year from April 2026.
Govt's parent-income welfare gateway for teenagers blasted by officials
MSD officials said the policy did not tackle deeper causes of problems for young people.
British Budget: Extra spending on welfare to top $35b
The Tories accuse the Chancellor of forcing 'hard-working families' to 'pick up the bill'.
Opportunity Party names fifth leader in its decade existence to lead it to next election
Now The Opportunity Party, its election bid is being led by a businesswoman.
Beneficiaries, pensioners don't have enough money for basics - report
A new report has also found 27% of children are living in food-insecure households.
Govt offers $1000 bonus to keep young Kiwis off dole, as date set to cut service for teens
Parents earning $65,529-plus will have to support their unemployed 18- and 19-year-olds
'Stop playing PlayStation': PM tells school leavers to 'get off the couch', 'go find a job'
Improving school attendance was 'job number one' for cutting future unemployment, he said.
'Rotten to the core': Govt banks $151m by ending 'double-dipping', wiping $100 a week for struggling households
The Government decided on the changes in 2024, but used urgency to pass the law in 2025.
Govt warned Te Pūkenga de-merger would lead to more people on Jobseeker for longer
Advice suggested fewer people on a Jobseeker benefit would move into study.
Inside Economics: Why the job market feels worse than the numbers look
ANALYSIS: Liam Dann takes a deeper dive into the week's economic news.
UK Labour Party suspends MPs who led welfare reforms rebellion
MPs say they were representing their constituents in opposing cuts to disability benefits.
Healthy Homes to golden visas: How Govt’s July 1 changes could affect you
Rental properties must comply with Healthy Homes standards by July 1.
Dr Bonnie Robinson talks about benefit sanctions
Dr Bonnie Robinson talks with Ryan Bridge about benefit sanctions. Video / Herald Now
Pay equity, KiwiSaver and housing: Where the Govt cut $21b
The pay equity changes have saved the Government almost $13b.
Frustrations over having to re-prove permanent disabilities
People with permanent disabilities are having to prove their condition multiple times.