Hon Carmel Sepuloni

The Government has confirmed details of COVID-19 support for business and workers following the increased alert levels due to a resurgence of the virus over the weekend.

Community and social service support providers have again swung into action to help people and families affected by the current COVID-19 alert levels.

Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced today that main benefits will increase by 3.1 percent on 1 April, in line with the rise in the average wage.

With a suite of Government income support packages available, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni is encouraging people, and businesses, connected to the recent Auckland COVID-19 cases to check the Work and Income website if they’ve been impacted by the need to self-isolate.

The Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni has today announced $18 million to support creative spaces.

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and Social Development Hon Carmel Sepuloni today launched a new Creative Careers Service, which is expected to support up to 1,000 creatives, across three regions over the next two years.

Figures released today by Stats NZ show there was strong growth in median household incomes in 2020, before surveying was halted due to COVID-19.

From 1 April 2021, people getting a benefit will be able to earn more through work before their benefit payments are affected, Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni has announced.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni have today announced a significant expansion to the Government’s Flexi-wage initiative, which will see up to 40,000 New Zealanders supported into work.

Three programmes supporting rangatahi who need help overcoming barriers to employment, education and training are receiving a $2.65 million funding boost, announced Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni.

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Carmel Sepuloni, today announced the opening of Mātauranga Māori Marae Ora, a new $5.7 million contestable fund to support Māori with projects that safeguard their mātauranga and taonga on marae, from the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

From tomorrow employers can receive a $350 payment if their employees cannot work from home while awaiting a COVID-19 test result.

The latest data from Stats NZ today shows the recovering economy is continuing to add jobs, led by a record high for jobs in construction, while unemployment fell.

Community events from Northland to Southland and from the West Coast to the Chatham Islands will draw people together to commemorate Waitangi Day, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Hon Carmel Sepuloni said today.

The Minister for ACC is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to join the Board of ACC on 1 February 2021.

The Government is providing $3 million in one-off seed funding to help disabled people around New Zealand stay connected and access support in their communities, Minister for Disability Issues, Carmel Sepuloni announced today.

More than $4.3 million from the Government’s He Poutama Rangatahi fund will support 478 young people to overcome barriers to employment, education and training, announced Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni.

New Zealand is set to host a major international festival of song after a government-backed bid won the rights to the 2024 World Choir Games.

Kua tauākitia e te Minita Manatū Taonga, e Carmel Sepuloni, he 18 ngā hinonga hei tautoko i ngā iwi, ngā hapū, ngā whānau me ngā hapori Māori ki te tiaki i ngā mātauranga Māori e noho mōrearea nei, kia whakahaumarutia ngā mātauranga taketake i ngā pānga o te mate korona.

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Carmel Sepuloni, has announced 18 initiatives to support iwi, hapū, whānau and Māori communities to safeguard at-risk mātauranga Māori, and protect indigenous knowledge from the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

The Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Hon Carmel Sepuloni today launched the Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund, making $50 million available in a unique opportunity for the screen sector to tell New Zealand’s stories to a global audience.

New Zealand welcomes the news that Sir Robert Martin has been re-elected to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni.

The Government is offering further financial support for unemployed New Zealanders to take on seasonal work.

From 1 December, people on temporary work, student or visitor visas who can’t return home and or support themselves may get an Emergency Benefit from the Ministry of Social Development, Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced today.