New Zealand
Web of deception: Office administrator stole $188k using fake invoices and payslips
Rachel Lamberth blamed an out-of-control gambling addiction for the offending.
Latest from Ministry of Social Development
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
'First in, first served': Auckland mum denied sole parent benefit
MSD said it assessed which parent had greater responsibility for the children.
Parent prosecuted over child's school absence as part of Government's truancy crackdown
The Ministry of Education has confirmed a truancy case is now before court.
Goldsmith backs move-on orders despite Treasury, Corrections cost warnings
Treasury questioned claims only up to six people a year would be imprisoned.
'Money-go-round': Benefit fraudster to pay back MSD using her own benefit
The 34-year-old mother of four defrauded MSD of nearly $25,000 over 12 months.
'Just a joy': Tributes for pregnant Napier mum hit by bus while walking to her new job
Wande Braimoh was an 'amazing person doing well for herself and family', friends say.
Can a new taskforce turn around Whangārei's emptying city centre?
Closures include Merric and The Co-operative Bank's Whangārei branches.
Editorial: Confronting scenes at homeless camp a taste of what's to come
OPINION: Move-on orders are coming, but will they just better hide homelessness?
Assault outside MSD office left victim with teeth knocked out after alleged name-calling
The victim suffered a second blow after she coughed and her veneers fell out and broke.
'Zero places to go': Fears after council targets people living in cars
Vehicle fines have been issued and dogs seized in Monday's operation in Tauranga.
MSD document says there’s ‘no evidence’ hundreds of New Zealanders are without shelter
But ministry dismisses the comments as 'inaccurate, and should not have been included'.
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.
Oliver Hartwich: Who really runs the country’s public service?
OPINION: Why ministers should choose their chief executives.
'Betrayed by the Government': Pensioner's income slashed due to 'hole in the system'
Barry Walker said the policy does not consider couples who cannot both receive incomes.
New tool aims to help health workers identify elder abuse
The $95,000 MSD-funded tool is finished and ready for practitioner trials.
Ministry blows hole in Rotorua council’s pensioner housing promise
MSD advice challenges council’s ‘no worse off’ pledge to pensioner village tenants.
'Departments have been slow': Act MP presses Collins on English-first branding as Minister 'concerned' at costs
Judith Collins has asked for detailed advice on agency rebranding costs.
Overwhelmed by CVs: New programme matches Rotorua employers with ready staff
The free ChamberWorks scheme pre-screens candidates to spare firms hundreds of CVs.
'Laughable': More people complain about Woolworths' use of AI in job interviews
The Herald recently reported on a teen who said he was unfairly judged by an AI interview.
Construction downturn hits apprentices, but signs of recovery emerge
Construction is Tauranga’s second-largest employer, with 10,067 jobs in 2025.
'Pissed off' student's fight not to give back $441 after StudyLink overpayment
Months later, StudyLink has admitted to overpaying Thoral again on accident.
'High-trust' Covid support exploited by tax agent who forged bank statements
He has been sentenced to home detention after submitting 18 fraudulent bank statements.
'Struggling' families to move into 24 new homes
Mother describes new home as ‘lifesaver’ after years living off-grid.
Tom Phillips inquiry documents: Retired judge on $1680 daily rate, why the Family Court is excluded
The Honourable Justice Simon Moore KC is the sole member of the inquiry.
David Harvey: Why the online harm report is fatally flawed
OPINION: The report urges a powerful new online safety regulator with sweeping powers.
‘I carried the silence for decades’: State care survivor speaks out after years of delays
Shane Kereama filed his historic abuse claim in July 2018 and is still awaiting redress.
Minister orders advice on child deaths linked to blind cords
Since 2009, eight young children in New Zealand have died after blind cord strangulation.
Disabled person's double blow after carer husband suffers head injury during funding freeze
Under new rules, Sam’s funding for vital nutritional shakes was declined.
Gym, tech and hope: Inside the new Hastings hub backing 360 young people
'Imagine a space where every young person who walks in the door feels seen and welcomed.'
Senior Govt minister visits Gloriavale after refusing to rule out shutting community
She met new overseeing shepherd Stephen Standfast and other leaders.