New Zealand
Frustrations over having to re-prove permanent disabilities
People with permanent disabilities are having to prove their condition multiple times.
Latest from Ministry of Social Development
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Ryan Bridge: Govt guilty of Labour's crime on bloated public service
OPINION: Yes, this is the same “woke” that New Zealand First voted for.
‘Do the mahi’: Outgoing business chief’s advice on leadership and job seeking
Hard work pays off, says outgoing Rotorua Business Chamber head.
Number of Kiwis on benefit has jumped up by 22,000 - the size of these NZ towns
The minister says an increase was expected but an expert warns of tough times ahead.
Nadine Higgins: Navigating parental leave - financial tips for new parents
The financial fishhooks in parental leave policy.
‘Very vulnerable’: Calls for govt help as homelessness surges 53%
Support agencies see increased demand; emergency housing numbers have dropped.
Drought declared in key NZ farming regions, Govt offers support
The government is providing $100,000 to support affected farmers.
‘Smashing your head’: Advocates on struggles with emergency housing
Homelessness has risen due to stricter emergency housing access rules.
Kāinga Ora tenant evicted after terrorising community, shooting four cats
The man harassed children, neighbours, tradesmen and blocked roads with his wheelchair.
MP to meet ministry over 230 job losses at Kinleith Mill
The mill will cease all paper production before July 2025.
Letters: Treat China as a valued friend, despite war games
OPINION: 'We need a reset of our relationship with China.'
Elderly tenant told to ‘p*** off’ by landlords when he complained about noise
He said he was kept awake by instruments, a boxing bag, a weed eater, a mower and trucks.
‘More than just a meal’: Woman fights for kai costs to be covered at husband’s tangi
Authority rules in her favour saying kai is an 'ordinary and integral' part of a tangi.
400 applications, no job: Woman ‘cannot live’ as unemployment reaches four-year high
Suzanne George has been job hunting for more than a year in Wellington.
Critics slam 'punitive' new benefit sanctions
Some job seekers will have to do three job-search activities weekly for four weeks.
Govt adds new sanctions to beneficiary traffic light scheme
The minister says consequences for job seekers are having a 'positive impact'.
'Can't do without us': Community rallies to save support hub
The Te Puke Food Hub will keep its doors open for now but still needs extra funding.
'Loss of dignity': Benefit fraudster wins compo for privacy breach during MSD investigation
Peter Thomas and his wife defrauded two agencies out of a combined $227,000.
'Housing is a human right': Tamariki in Hamilton emergency motels drops from 516 to 165
Households in emergency housing motels dropped from 507 in 2023, to 144 in November 2024.
'Particularly unfair': NZSAS soldier’s compo taxed higher because he was hurt offshore
Veterans left paying more tax if they were injured in disaster and war zones.
Government to end emergency housing contracts with two more Rotorua motels
Two more motels will stop being contracted by the Government for emergency housing.
Opinion: No room at the inn for homeless Kiwis needing help at Xmas
OPINION: Community providers are increasingly having to turn away applicants.
'Trust the process': Te Pāti Māori defends marae voting process
Te Pāti Māori claims the Electoral Commission bowed to political pressure over the voting.
MSD ‘concerned’ one-in-four beneficiaries getting paid wrong
The minister admitted it was 'challenging'.
PM says economy is 'turning a corner' but unemployment a 'particular concern'
Jobseeker numbers have swelled to 65,000 above Christopher Luxon's target.
Mary Holm: Will helping out an older friend affect my pension?
OPINION: Most of the answers to a prospective carer's questions are pretty good news.
Number of denied emergency housing applications rises
Renters United says the figures make 'a mockery' of Govt's claims about emergency housing.
Labour claims ‘cover-up’ as weekly reporting on benefit numbers cancelled
Minister Louise Upston has directed her officials to stop publishing weekly updates.
19 separate identities and $82k stolen: Man jailed for part in Covid relief fraud
The high-trust model was exploited during a time of national crisis.
Job market woes mean high beneficiary numbers in Northland
Companies being cautious with their spending equalled more cautious employing.