Articles tagged with Cost Of Living

Government Increases Rates Rebate and Sets Rates Cap to Ease Cost of Living in 2026

1 month ago | 366 views

The Government will increase the Rates Rebate Scheme from July 2026, raising the maximum rebate and income thresholds to provide targeted support for low-income ratepayers and SuperGold Cardholders, helping seniors on fixed incomes manage rising rates. New application forms will be available through councils and online, ensuring eligible households receive assistance amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Additionally, a rates cap will be introduced to control council spending and prevent unsustainable rate increases, with details to be announced later this year.

Tags: Simon Watts Casey Costello Rates Rebate Scheme SuperGold Cardholders Local Government New Zealand Government cost of living income abatement threshold rates cap NZ Superannuation

FamilyBoost Program Enhancements Bring Financial Relief to Thousands of Households

11 months ago | 1611 views

Tens of thousands of households will be better off thanks to changes being made to FamilyBoost to help families with the cost of living, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “From the start of this month, families will get larger FamilyBoost rebates on the early childhood education fees they pay, with rebates increasing from 25 per cent to 40 per cent of weekly fees, and those with household incomes of up to $229,000 now eligible to apply. “This means for example that a family with early childhood fees of $100 a week could have their weekly FamilyBoost payment increased from $25 a week to $40 a week, meaning their annual payments would increase from $1,300 to $2,080 over the course of a year, making them hundreds of dollars better off.

Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis FamilyBoost households families cost of living early childhood education rebates scheme Inland Revenue