Current welfare system is no longer fit for purpose and needs fundamental change
Rebalancing the social contract
Many New Zealanders lead desperate lives with seriously inadequate incomes – this must change
Eligibility rules don’t reflect today’s families and need updating
Income support system needs substantial reform to significantly improve its adequacy and design
Opportunity exists to do things differently and increase people’s employability
More can be done to improve outcomes for people with health conditions or disabilities and carers
People not undertaking paid work are also contributing
Isolated change by the welfare system is not enough – integrated, cross-system change is needed
All benefits by region at a glance
Purpose, values and principles
Rebalancing the social contract – improving the operation of the welfare system
Alleviating the housing conundrum
Improving access to employment supports and work
People with health conditions and disabilities and carers
Process of deciding on the recommendations
Reform is needed to ensure the dignity of all New Zealanders
Benefits at a glance as at December 2018
Current system was set up in a different time and is no longer fit for purpose
Some groups are disproportionately negatively affected
Employment and labour market support need revamping
Values underpinning the new system
Welfare and wellbeing – purpose of the welfare system
Responsibility for implementing recommendations
Better serving the needs of Pacific People
Changes are needed to improve outcomes for Māori
How the Ministry of Social Development can work to restore trust
Recommendations – key and detailed
Social and financial security sufficient for an adequate standard of living
Investigating adequacy using example families and budgets
Immediate steps towards adequacy
Additional steps to achieve adequacy
Relationship status within the welfare system
Recommendations – key and detailed
Housing is a critical component of good welfare policy
Boosting housing supply is critical
Recommendations – key and detailed
Paid work and the social security system
Delivering effective employment support
Social security must be prepared for an uncertain future of work
Early intervention is preferable
Recommendations – key and detailed
The system response needs to improve in several areas
Recommendations – key and detailed
Enabling community organisations to prosper
Appendix A: Members of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group
Appendix B: Terms of Reference for the Welfare Expert Advisory Group
Appendix C: Treasury modelling of tax and welfare changes
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