Core principles

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Legislative amendments are also needed to the principles in the Act that guide the design and operation of the welfare system.

The principles of the current legislation focus excessively on encouraging people into paid work, with little regard for the suitability of that work for their wellbeing or for alternative forms of participation. There is scant reference to the welfare system’s fundamental role in ensuring adequate incomes.

Our six values underpin the principles that should guide the design and operation of the welfare system.

• Be person-centred and wellbeing focused.
• Keep children paramount.
• Value whānau and families.
• Treat people with dignity, respect and compassion.
• Provide an income sufficient for an adequate standard of living.
• Provide full and correct entitlements.
• Deliver support that is easy to access, timely and appropriate.
• Provide an employment service that supports people into good and appropriate work.
• Support the provision of housing that is affordable, secure, of good quality and appropriate for the person (and their family or whānau).
• Promote mutual expectations.
• Aim for equitable outcomes.
• Build and maintain effective links with other parts of government.
• Be sustainable.

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