Pensioners, students, and everyone on main benefits will see their payments from the Government rise by 7.22% in line with inflation from April 1.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the changes today as part of his continuing focus on "bread and butter" priorities amid what's shaping up to be a tight election year.
He added it would "mean approximately 1.4 million New Zealanders will not go backwards" as they "feel the bite from the rise in the cost of living".
The changes announced today would apply on the same day that the Government's previously-announced childcare cost-of-living package would go into effect.
The minimum wage would also be increasing on the same day next month.
Under the changes, a couple on NZ Super would receive $103 more in total a fortnight, and a single person living alone receive an extra $67 with each payment.
Other main benefits that will see an increase include Jobseeker Support, Youth Payment, Young Parent Payment, Sole Parent Support and the Supported Living Payment.
Tertiary students receiving the student allowance will also see around $20 extra for each payment. It will also apply to student loan living cost payments.
"Working families will see increases to Working for Families, including an extra $4 for Best Start Payments taking it to $69 per week and an increase of $9 for the eldest child rate of Family Tax Credit, lifting it to $136 per week," Hipkins said.
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the $311 million change was a "practical solution to ensure those being supported didn't fall behind."
Inflation "rose by 7.22% in the year to December, while the net average wage – against which main benefits are indexed – rose by 6.24%. The extra boost to main benefits covers the 0.98% gap," she said.
"For working-age people receiving a main benefit, they will see an increase of between $19.81 and $46.20, depending on the type of benefit and whether they are single or a couple."
Today's cost of living changes follows an increase to the minimum wage and the Government’s $718 million extension of discounts to the fuel excise duty and public transport fares until June.
Last November, former prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced the Government's $189 million package to make an additional 10,000 children eligible for childcare assistance.
"All up, the additional support above the annual general adjustment equates to an extra $311 million, this is on top of the $189 million announced for the changes to Childcare Subsidy," Hipkins said on Monday.
=================================================
www.1news.co.nz...
==================================================
Riddle Alert! Who’s Up for Some Brain-Busting Fun?
4-letter word, always done tomorrow,
We’re out of tea, the ultimate sorrow!
Without the eye, you owe me some money,
No sugar no nectar no sweetness no honey,
4-letter word, if by chance you choose,
You can never win, you can only lose!
What is the 4-letter word?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
-
82.4% Yes
-
14.9% No
-
2.7% Other - I'll share below
The Year in Space 2024
2024 has been an epic year in space, with stranded astronauts, dazzling auroras, comets, meteor showers, and eclipses.
The Year in Space is Stardome’s own fulldome showcase of the year’s highlights and includes stunning recent images and discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope, exciting space events of the year, and breathtaking astrophotography from finalists of the NZ Astrophotography Competition.
Take a trip through space and witness the beauty of our universe as seen from Aotearoa New Zealand. Not to be missed!
www.stardome.org.nz...