8945 (2025). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

8945 (2025). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What, if anything, is the average weekly income of beneficiaries before and after housing costs, and average percentage of income spent on housing costs, by benefit type?

Hon Louise Upston: The average weekly income of clients before and after housing costs is included in the Ministry of Social Development’s Total Incomes Annual Report - 2024. Please refer to the summary at page 5 of the report, available here: www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/research/benefit-system/total-incomes-annual-report-2024.html. I am advised that the Total Incomes Annual Report is produced annually based on the data as at the end of April. The Total Incomes Annual Report 2025 will be published toward the end of the year. I am advised that the Ministry that the data the member is requesting is not readily available outside of the Total Incomes Annual Report process. As such the Ministry is unable to provide the information sought by the Member within a written parliamentary question timeframe as it would take substantial effort and require the Ministry to divert personnel from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I consider that the time, and hence the expense, of answering these questions within this timeframe is not in the public interest.