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24 May, 2012

$287.5m up-front investment in welfare reforms

The Government is making an up-front investment of $287.5 million over the next four years in the first phase of its welfare reforms, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

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24 May, 2012

Extra support for vulnerable youth

Budget 2012 includes an $18.3 million investment over the next four years in mental health services for children and young people, Youth Affairs Minister Paula Bennett says.

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19 May, 2012

Some skin for Youth Week

Youth week, a week of fun and informative community based youth activities begins today says Youth Affairs Minister Paula Bennett.

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15 May, 2012

New Board to oversee Work and Income performance

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today announced the new Work and Income board members to oversee the investment approach to welfare.

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8 May, 2012

Fewer New Zealanders on welfare

The number of people on benefits has fallen to the lowest level since July 2009 says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

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7 May, 2012

Budget 2012: Extra funding for welfare reforms

The Budget this month will provide $287.5 million over the next four years for the first phase of the Government’s welfare reforms to help more New Zealanders into work, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

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24 April, 2012

Youth services vital to reducing welfare dependence

Youth service providers connecting young people to education, employment or training will ensure fewer become welfare dependent says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

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20 April, 2012

Address to New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services

I admire the work you do in our communities. There are moments in my job when I sincerely feel the pull to be working at the grass roots level.

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8 April, 2012

Thousands move off benefits into work in March

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says more than 8,000 people cancelled their benefit last month because they found work.

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4 April, 2012

Better support for youth mental illness

Youth workers trained to recognise mental health issues will be put into selected secondary schools and Youth One Stop Shops as part of the National-led Government’s youth mental health package, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

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30 March, 2012

Minister recognises contribution of Dr Hone Kaa

Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett was saddened to hear news of the passing of Rev Dr Hone Kaa and sends her condolences to his whanau and iwi.

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27 March, 2012

Welfare reform bill passes first reading

The Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today and will be referred to select committee.

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27 March, 2012

Welfare Reform

First Reading speech: Social Security (Youth and Work Focus) Amendment Bill

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16 March, 2012

Working for Families family tax credit and minimum family tax credit amounts rise

Working for Families tax credits will increase from 1 April this year, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne announced today.

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16 March, 2012

Benefit rates rise to meet increased living costs

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced the annual increase in benefit payments and superannuation for more than a million Kiwis.

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9 March, 2012

Benefit numbers decline in February

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on benefits fell by more than 21,000 in the last month.

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9 March, 2012

Unemployed Cantabrians to work in the red zone

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett have announced a “Working InZone” programme to get unemployed Cantabrians working in the region’s residential red zone.

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8 March, 2012

NZ Disability Support Network Conference

New Zealand has one of the most generous welfare systems in the world. But despite the good intentions of the architects of this system, it no longer works as it should.

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7 March, 2012

Employment scheme for weather bomb clean up

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced funding for a clean up operation in parts of South Taranaki damaged by a weather bomb at the weekend

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1 March, 2012

Submissions closed but conversations continue

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett thanks New Zealanders for responding to the Green Paper on Vulnerable Children and encourages continued discussion.

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29 February, 2012

Welfare Reform

The second term National-led Government is comprehensively reforming welfare.

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27 February, 2012

Building on the success of Future Focus

The first stage of welfare reforms announced today build on the success of Future Focus changes says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

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27 February, 2012

Welfare reform legislation to be introduced

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today announced that stage one of the National-led Government’s comprehensive welfare reforms will get underway next month.

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27 February, 2012

Green Paper submissions close this Tuesday

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is encouraging New Zealanders to make a submission to the Green Paper before the closing date this Tuesday 28 February.

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17 February, 2012

Young New Zealander of the Year congratulated

Youth Affairs Minister Paula Bennett congratulates Sam Johnson, winner of the Young New Zealander of the Year award.

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10 February, 2012

Opportunities for young Aucklanders applauded

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomes a joint initiative to provide work experience opportunities for young people in Auckland.

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9 February, 2012

Learning results in raft of changes to better protect children

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says a Ministerial Inquiry into a case of serious abuse of a nine year old, has led to major changes.

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3 February, 2012

Benefit figures steady in January

The number of people on benefits in New Zealand remained relatively steady over the last month says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

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27 January, 2012

Thousands debate child abuse solutions

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is delighted with the response to the Green Paper both in terms of turn out and contributions.

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21 December, 2011

The safety and protection of children must come first

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today released the Ministerial Inquiry into the abuse of a nine year old girl and other matters relating to the welfare, safety and protection of children in New Zealand.

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