38421 (2025). Hon Willie Jackson to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

Written Question

Published date: 19 Aug 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	38421 (2025)
Question asked:	05 Aug 2025
Member asking:	Hon Willie Jackson
Portfolio:	Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister replying:	Hon Louise Upston
Answer received:	13 Aug 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_38421_2025
Document guid:	d2ae7449-3663-45af-aa51-86bd994a8a8c

38421 (2025). Hon Willie Jackson to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What has the Minister done, if anything, to boost support for more staff to assist with compliance issues for neurodivergent beneficiaries?

Hon Louise Upston: I have not taken any actions to boost support in this area. Staff at MSD already help and support people to navigate entitlements as a core part of what they do every day. Staff members can get specialist advice and support from the Regional Health Advisors and the Regional Disability Advisors employed around the country, to help make sure that suitable support is provided for people who may have complex needs. The Regional Health and Disability Advisors have undergone professional development around neurodivergence recently, including attending sessions facilitated by Autism NZ and a psychiatrist specialising in ADHD.