Search

From tomorrow selected community groups will be able to offer income related rents for people needing social housing and people will be able to test their eligibility through Work and Income.

“We are growing low cost housing by partnering with dedicated community groups that are providing the properties.  We are also expanding income related rent subsidies beyond Housing New Zealand,” says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says people using hardship assistance are in line to pay less for glasses and other optical services as a result of a new preferred supplier arrangement with opticians.

“We’re trying to keep people’s debt as low as possible, while at the same time ensuring they are still receiving cost effective optical goods and services that meet their clinical needs. 

Mrs Bennett says the deal is also good news for the taxpayer.

People around the globe are learning this week what Kiwis know – New Zealand is one of the best countries in the world, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Commenting on the 2014 Social Progress Index which ranks New Zealand in first place Mrs Bennett urged New Zealanders to take a moment and reflect on just how lucky we are to live here

Social Development Minister, Paula Bennett, announced that the KickStart Breakfast programme has served more than 1.5 million breakfasts since government support expanded the programme last May.

Prime Minister John Key joined Mrs Bennett in celebrating the milestone at Henderson School this morning (Friday 4 April), with corporate partners Fonterra and Sanitarium.

“Thousands of children are getting a healthy start in the mornings thanks to the programme which is growing across schools throughout the country each week. 

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says more than 21,000 people have had their benefit cut for travelling overseas since July last year.

“We tightened the overseas travel rules as part of welfare reform and have saved New Zealand more than $10.5 million in suspended payments for beneficiaries who still chose to travel.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has thanked the Far North communities of Te Hiku o Te Ika for laying out their plan of what social services are required in the district to support people in need.

“Last year I launched the ‘Make it Happen Te Hiku’ project, asking the community to tell me what services they need, and how they want them delivered,” Mrs Bennett said.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has congratulated Ministry of Social Development staff for donating more than $1 million through payroll giving – becoming the first government department to do so.

“This million-dollar milestone is an exceptional achievement by MSD staff and shows their willingness to make a difference for the communities they live in and work with, beyond the call of duty,” Mrs Bennett said.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced today the appointment of two new members to the Board of the Families Commission.

Retired Family Court Judge Paul von Dadelszen and Jo-anne Wilkinson, MNZN, Project K co-founder, have been appointed for three year terms to fill two vacant positions on the board of the Families Commission. 

“The Vulnerable Children Bill marks a major overhaul in strengthening our child protection system and making sure fewer children are abused,” says Social Development Paula Bennett in welcoming the Bill’s report back.

“I am pleased the Social Services Select Committee had the chance to hear from many people who are committed to improving the lives of our most vulnerable children and protecting children from violence and neglect. 

“Their input has been valuable and welcome.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has welcomed the passing of a Bill refocusing the role of the Families Commission, to house a vital new Social Policy Evaluation and Research unit (SuPERU).

The new ‘SuPERU’ offers a much needed service for the whole social sector to fill the gap that exists in New Zealand for independent, evidence based research around social services. 

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says benefit and superannuation payments to more than a million New Zealanders will increase on April 1.

“In 2011 the Government legislated to make sure benefit and superannuation payments increase each year alongside increases to the consumer price index,” Mrs Bennett said.

“This means rates and thresholds applying to a range of Work and Income and StudyLink assistance will rise to match the increase in living costs.”

The Annual General Adjustment will see a 1.38 per cent increase to:

The Government today announced the next step in delivering housing assistance to those most in need with reviewable tenancies for all social housing tenants. 

In the first year this will apply to people currently paying market rents or close to market rents to see if they can move into and sustain a private rental.

About 800 reviews, commencing from 1 July 2014, are expected to be completed in the first year, out of approximately 68,000 state house tenancies.

Paula Bennett will travel to Chile today to represent New Zealand at the inauguration ceremony for Chilean President-elect Michelle Bachelet on 11 March.

“I’m honoured to represent New Zealand at this significant international occasion, and look forward to congratulating Michelle Bachelet on achieving her second term as President," Mrs Bennett said.

Ms Bachelet served as the President of the Republic of Chile from 2006 to 2010, and was subsequently appointed the first Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett have announced the transfer of migrant and refugee community development programme, Settling In, from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to the Office of Ethnic Affairs (OEA).

Settling In was established under MSD in 2004 to identify and address the social service needs of refugees and migrant communities, with the aim of supporting communities to develop their own solutions to settle with success.

Introduction

E nga mana, e nga reo, e te iwi o te motu, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa

Acknowledgments

• Diane Vivian, Chair and Founder
• Geoff Lawson, CEO
• The GRG Board
• GRG Members

Introduction

It’s great to be with all of you today, at what is the beginning of a very exciting year ahead.

It’s going to be a pretty significant one for me personally.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the Government is putting on hold Child Harm Prevention Orders as part of the Vulnerable Children Bill.

 The Government has a wide range of initiatives that are already making a difference to the protection of children and more proposals that are soon to be implemented.

“I am absolutely committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children and this Government has made it a major priority to focus on these children,” says Mrs Bennett.

A review of the future governance arrangements of Environment Canterbury is now underway, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett and Environment Minister Amy Adams announced today.

Commissioners were appointed in 2010 following a critical external review of Environment Canterbury’s performance. Last year commissioner governance was extended until 2016 to protect the gains the commissioners have made.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett will be among tens of thousands of New Zealanders celebrating Children’s Day this weekend.

This Sunday marks the 14th annual Children’s Day, and around 150 events will be held around the country all weekend. 

“Children’s Day is a great time for families to have a bit of time out and fun together,” Mrs Bennett said.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says nearly 6,000 children are benefiting right now from new payments worth nearly $3 million to wider family members caring for children.

“With children just back at school, the Government recognises that whānau carers can do with extra help to buy essentials like school uniforms, or other items for children settling into a new home.

E nga mana, e nga reo, e te iwi o te motu, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa

It’s a pleasure to be here this morning to open the SAS Users New Zealand conference.

We’re at a very exciting place at the moment.

The world of data analytics is new for a lot of people in Government, and just a little bit scary for some.

But the way I see it - by harnessing the skills analysts like you have when you look at information, we have the power to change - and save - lives. 

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has launched a new resource to help address family violence in ethnic communities.

The ‘Culture No Excuse for Abuse’ booklet has been produced by Auckland’s Shakti Community Council with help from the Ministry of Social Development’s ‘It’s Not OK’ family violence prevention campaign.

The latest HLFS employment figures show the Government’s focus on young people is paying off, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett say.

“An increase of 28,500 (9.3 per cent) 15 to 24 year-olds in work over the past year and the lowest number of young people not being in employment, education, or training since 2008 is promising news for them and their families,” Mr Joyce says.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is celebrating the effort of a young man who has overcome significant challenges to work.

“Twenty-four year old James has battled brain cancer and is legally blind, but none of that has dented his incredible determination to work,” says Mrs Bennett.

James has received a Supported Living Payment (previously called Invalid’s Benefit), since he was diagnosed with a brain tumour at age 18.

People on this benefit are not required to work.

Comprehensive welfare reforms introduced over the past year are delivering strong results, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“We’re seeing positive developments as we implement welfare reforms to help more New Zealanders move from welfare into independence.”

“Our first priority has always been to either divert young people from entering the welfare system at all, or supporting them off benefit quickly,” says Mrs Bennett.