36266 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

36266 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Have any winter energy payments been mistakenly cancelled for people entitled to them and receiving them; if so, for what reason?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development identified that some New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension clients had their Winter Energy Payments stopped as part of the mandatory review process. This happened because Winter Energy Payment was not included in the list of payments exempt from suspension under the legislation. The suspensions were lawful, but the outcome was not intended.