Articles tagged with Social Development And Employment
New Zealand Sees 5,580 More People Move from Benefits to Work by March 2026
1 month ago | 287 viewsMinister Louise Upston highlights that more New Zealanders moved from benefits into work over the year to March 2026, despite challenging economic conditions, with 5,580 more people exiting benefits compared to the previous year. The number of people receiving Jobseeker Support and working-age main benefits decreased significantly, reflecting the impact of the Government’s welfare reset and initiatives like the Traffic Light System and Kōrero Mahi seminars. These measures aim to make jobseekers more proactive and work-ready, providing practical support to help them secure sustainable employment.
Tags: Louise Upston Minister for Social Development and Employment New Zealand Jobseeker Support MSD Kōrero Mahi Traffic Light System welfare reset employment support main benefitRe-Energise 26 Report Calls for Coordinated Action to Build NZ Energy Workforce
1 month ago | 411 viewsThe Re-Energise 26 report highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to build New Zealand’s energy workforce to meet growing sector demands and avoid missed opportunities. Key challenges include workforce uncertainty, training pipeline issues, and critical role shortages, while opportunities lie in unified talent development and clearer career pathways. The government, industry, and educators must collaborate to strengthen skills, improve job connections, and support regions facing industry decline to ensure a sustainable energy sector future.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Energy Resources Aotearoa Electricity Engineers’ Association Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Social Development and Employment Minister energy workforce energy sector governmentGovernment Introduces Bill to Clarify ACC Payments Impact on Welfare Entitlement
3 months ago | 492 viewsThe Government is introducing the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill to clarify how ACC payments affect welfare entitlements and ensure fair treatment between different recipient groups. The bill aims to align the law with longstanding policy by authorizing MSD to retrospectively adjust benefits when backdated ACC payments reduce welfare to zero and to prevent inequities where some recipients receive dual income support for the same need. This legislation responds to court rulings and will not apply retrospectively to cases filed before the bill’s introduction, promoting fairness and certainty in the welfare system.
Tags: Louise Upston Government MSD Social Security ACC Social Development and Employment Social Services and Community Select Committee Social Security Appeal Authority High Court Winter Energy PaymentRegional Infrastructure Fund Boosts Job Creation and Resilience in New Zealand
7 months ago | 632 viewsThe Regional Infrastructure Fund, supported by Ministers Shane Jones and Louise Upston, is funding projects in regional New Zealand to create resilient communities and local employment opportunities. Since its opening in mid last year, the RIF has committed over $862 million to projects, with $355.6 million already approved and announced. These projects are expected to provide employment for over 1750 full-time workers during construction, prioritizing local workforce planning and creating job opportunities in construction, agriculture, horticulture, and processing.
Tags: Regional Infrastructure Fund resilient communities local employment opportunities Regional Development Minister Shane Jones Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston infrastructure employment construction New Zealanders projectsNew Legislation Ensures Fair Treatment of Boarder and Rental Payments for Housing Subsidies
10 months ago | 1734 viewsLegislation fixing the inconsistent treatment of boarder and rental payments has been passed into law in Parliament today. The Social Assistance Legislation (Accommodation Supplement and Income-related Rent) Amendment Bill and the supporting legislation of the Social Security (Mandatory Reviews) Amendment Bill has addressed the inconsistent treatment of board and rent payments around housing subsidies. “This has been an unnecessarily complicated and confusing system,” says Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston.
Tags: Amendment bill Louise upston Mandatory reviews Related rent Social assistance legislation Social development and employment Social security Social securitydatory reviews Sulement