Welfare Overhaul
A commitment to overhaul the welfare system is part of the New Zealand Labour Party’s Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Government has committed to “overhaul the welfare system, ensure access to entitlements, remove excessive sanctions and review Working for Families so that everyone has a standard of living and income that enables them to live in dignity and participate in their communities, and lifts children and their families out of poverty”.
On 11 November 2019 Cabinet made decisions on the plan for the welfare overhaul work programme.
The next phase of welfare overhaul over the medium term will include:
- resetting the foundations of the welfare system
- increasing income support and addressing debt
- improving and expanding employment services
- improving supports and services for disabled people, people with health conditions and disabilities and their carers
- enhancing the community sector.
Over the longer term, welfare overhaul will focus on:
- Simplifying the income support system
- Aligning the welfare system with other support systems
- Reviewing housing and childcare supports.
