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.
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Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.
If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?
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61.7% Summer
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36.7% Winter
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1.6% Other - I'll share below
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
“ CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH RED CROSS ONEHUNGA “✨🎄💝
Step into holiday season with style💫
🎄Chic floral embroidery and crisp white to for that Christmas glow.
🎀Satin gold dress paired with elegant floral hats for for the perfect celebration look.
🕴️Sleek suits that bring sophistication to Christmas Eve.
Shop with Red Cross this Christmas and support a great cause!!!
#ChristmasGiftIdeas#ShopForGood#RedCrossOnehunga#
200 Onehunga Mall Road
Onehunga
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday Closed for Christmas
Thursday -Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday - 10am - 5pm
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