What is the Welfare Working Group?

The Welfare Working Group, led by former Commerce Commission chairwoman Paula Rebstock, was established by Cabinet in April 2010 to review the country’s welfare system and find ways to reduce long-term welfare dependency.

At that time, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said the group had been asked to come up with ways to break the cycle of welfare dependency and create a more sustainable and fair welfare system. Taxpayers currently spend $7.6 billion a year on the main benefits, and the proportion of New Zealanders receiving welfare payments is expected to increase.

After considering numerous submissions, the Welfare Working Group presented its recommendations to the government in February this year. A ministerial group convened by Ms Bennett is considering the report and deciding which recommendations will become National Party policy in the lead-up to the November election.