58758 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction

58758 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: Is the Minister satisfied that Work and Income guidance on access to recoverable assistance and hardship support adequately protects children in households where whānau are advised to drop essential costs such as car or contents insurance to meet rising living costs; if so, why?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that the current operational policy guidelines on hardship obligations do not set an expectation that clients must forgo essential expenses, in relation to children or otherwise, to continue receiving hardship assistance. The Government is committed to changing the circumstances that trap people in poverty and to addressing the long-term drivers of material hardship. This includes a strong focus on reducing child material hardship, which is one of the three priorities for cross-government work identified in the Child and Youth Strategy.