23975 (2026). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

23975 (2026). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What was the average time it took to process applications for main benefits during the week of 13th May 2024?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that the standard reporting period is month end and quarter end. The Ministry operates an Accuracy Reporting Programme that provides reliable, independent and timely data on the national accuracy and timeliness of assessments of client-benefit entitlement processed by the Ministry. Results of the Accuracy Reporting Programme are published in the Ministry’s Annual Report and are based on a sample of tested applications that is considered representative of actual performance over all applications. The Ministry’s annual reports can be found here: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/corporate/annual-report/