Welfare Benefit Simplification - New Zealand

New Zealand

Also known as Working New Zealand

In the late 1980s Minister of Social Welfare Dr Michael Cullen announced the then Labour Government’s intention to move to a universal benefit. The Labour government subsequently lost the next election and the policy was dropped by the incoming National government.

In 2001 the Labour-led government began its overhaul of social welfare with Pathways to Opportunity. Its aims were to:

  • create a simpler system
  • make work pay and investing in people
  • support families and children
  • ensure mutual responsibilities
  • build partnerships
  • tackle poverty and social exclusion

On October 26, 2006 the Labour-led government announced a number of changes to the welfare system. The changes include continuing to align rules and criteria of different benefits.

Read more about this topic:  Welfare Benefit Simplification

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