Featured news

Government announcement on improved redress for abuse in care survivors

The Government has today announced a $774 million investment in the care system and improved redress for survivors of abuse in care as part of Budget 2025.

Read the statement here

MSD releases evaluation into COVID-19 welfare response

3 February 2025 - The Ministry of Social Development has today released a set of evaluation reports on the Care in the Community (CiC) welfare response to COVID-19.

2023/24 Child and Youth Strategy and Child Poverty Related Indicators Annual Report released

21 November 2024 - The first Annual Report on the Child and Youth Strategy, covering the year up to the end of June 2024, was released today, setting out progress against both the current Strategy's indicators and the indicators of the previous Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy.

Read the report

MSD insights

Explore up to date COVID-19 income support and Wage Subsidy trends and evidence.

What's new

Fake names and addresses used in wage fraud

04 July 2025

An Auckland man has been sentenced to two years imprisonment in the Auckland District Court after dishonestly receiving more than $35,000 in COVID-19 wage subsidy payments by using a number of pseudonyms, fake addresses and a non- trading company.

Woman switched banks to continue wage subsidy

26 June 2025

A woman who received almost $60,000 in the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme changed banks and made another five applications while under investigation.

New fund available for job coaching

30 May 2025

MSD will be seeking proposals from community providers to deliver job coaching.

Home detention for wage subsidy fraud

29 May 2025

A business administrator has been sentenced to nine months home detention for defrauding the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy scheme.

Budget 2025

22 May 2025

Budget 2025 sets out the Government’s programme for achieving its targets, supporting economic growth and continuing to keep a tight rein on government spending.

Wage Subsidy cases in the courts

03 March 2025

Cases we have taken through the courts to sentencing in recent months.

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