Articles tagged with Jobs
Showing 15 of 31 articles
New Social Security Bill Tightens Jobseeker Support and Housing Subsidies
28 Aug 2026 | 1 week ago | 203 viewsThe Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill, passed in Parliament, tightens eligibility for Jobseeker Support and adjusts the Accommodation Supplement to better target financial assistance. It requires 18- and 19-year-olds to meet the Parental Assistance Test before receiving benefits and increases the homeowner contribution threshold for housing subsidies from 30% to 40% of income. The legislation aims to reduce benefit dependency, encourage work, and ensures certain groups, like pension recipients, are exempt from the new Accommodation Supplement changes.
Tags: Louise Upston Social Security Jobseeker Support Accommodation Supplement Welfare System Budget 2025 Parental Assistance Test New Zealand Government Social Development Employment MinisterCommunity Job Coaching Helps 4,000 Young New Zealanders Into Sustainable Jobs
26 Aug 2026 | 2 weeks ago | 218 viewsCommunity Job Coaching, launched in October 2025, has enrolled 4,000 young New Zealanders aged 18–24, providing up to 26 weeks of personalized employment coaching and ongoing support to help them secure sustainable jobs. The program, delivered across multiple regions and expanding to three more, aims to reduce youth reliance on welfare by offering tailored local support, contributing to the government’s goal of 50,000 fewer Jobseeker Support beneficiaries. With over 640 paid work activities and 290 individuals off benefits so far, the initiative focuses on breaking the cycle of long-term welfare dependency and promoting career pathways for young people.
Tags: Community Job Coaching Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development Jobseeker Support New Zealand employment programme youth employment community providers sustainable employment job coachingGovernment Launches Upgraded MyMSD Jobs Site to Connect Job Seekers with Employers
11 Aug 2026 | 4 weeks ago | 297 viewsThe Government has launched an upgraded job search website, MyMSD Jobs, to better connect job seekers with employers using enhanced job matching technology and improved Jobseeker profiles. Over 94,000 clients have updated their profiles to access matched job opportunities, with more than 7,700 positions currently available, and positive feedback has been reported from users. Future improvements include a dedicated employer portal, as part of MSD’s broader transformation to provide more efficient services and support stronger, resilient communities.
Tags: Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD JobSeeker Support MyMSD Jobs Kimi Mahi Mai Social Development and Employment Minister job matching technology New Zealand employment platformNew Zealand Sees Significant Rise in Benefit Exits as More Move Into Work
16 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 451 viewsNew Zealand has seen a year-on-year increase in the number of people moving off benefits into work, with 86,544 exits recorded in the year ending June 2026, reflecting positive job market trends despite economic challenges. The Ministry of Social Development supports jobseekers through initiatives like the Traffic Light System, Kōrero Mahi seminars, and partnerships with businesses such as Ventia and SkyCity to connect candidates with employment opportunities. These efforts aim to foster workforce development, reduce reliance on temporary labor, and promote economic independence for New Zealanders.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand MSD Ventia ChamberWorks Kōrero Mahi Ara Jobs and Skills Hub SkyCity Northern Jobs and Skills Hub New Zealand International Convention CentreBudget 2026: New Zealand’s Plan for Economic Growth, Jobs, and Fiscal Discipline
28 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 653 viewsBudget 2026 reflects New Zealand's commitment to fiscal discipline and responsible economic management amid global uncertainties, aiming to return to surplus earlier than expected with reduced borrowing and steady growth. The budget focuses on job creation, wage increases, and targeted investments in infrastructure, law enforcement, education, and healthcare to support economic growth and public well-being. By prioritizing financial prudence and reallocating resources, the government seeks to build a secure future, avoiding higher debt, interest rates, and taxes for Kiwis.
Tags: Budget 2026 New Zealand Christopher Luxon economic growth fiscal discipline jobs wages government savings financial security global environmentNew Commercial Game Preserve in Hawke’s Bay Boosts Hunting Opportunities and Economy
27 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 844 viewsA new 286-hectare commercial game preserve, Te Konini, will open in Hawke’s Bay in 2027, increasing hunting opportunities and supporting the local economy. Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager highlights that such preserves sustain hunting traditions, create rural jobs, and contribute significantly to New Zealand’s economy. The preserves operate on private land with landowners managing pheasant releases and hunting access, enhancing both local business growth and outdoor recreational experiences for Kiwis and visitors.
Tags: James Meager Te Konini New Zealand Hawke’s Bay game preserve pheasants hunting commercial game preserves rural jobs outdoor accessGovernment Tightens Welfare Eligibility to Support Sustainability and Target Need
14 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 831 viewsThe Government has introduced the Social Security Amendment Bill to improve fiscal sustainability by tightening eligibility for Jobseeker Support for 18- and 19-year-olds and adjusting the Accommodation Supplement calculation for homeowners. The Bill requires young beneficiaries to meet the Parental Assistance Test unless they have dependent children, aiming to reduce long-term benefit dependency and better target assistance to those most in need. Additionally, the Accommodation Supplement changes, the first in 33 years, focus support on vulnerable groups by requiring homeowners to contribute a higher share of income toward housing costs before receiving subsidies.
Tags: Louise Upston Social Development Employment Minister Jobseeker Support Accommodation Supplement Welfare system Budget 2025 Parental Assistance Test New Zealand Government Social Security Amendment BillNew Zealand Sees 5,580 More People Move from Benefits to Work by March 2026
16 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 878 viewsMinister Louise Upston highlights that more New Zealanders moved from benefits into work over the year to March 2026, despite challenging economic conditions, with 5,580 more people exiting benefits compared to the previous year. The number of people receiving Jobseeker Support and working-age main benefits decreased significantly, reflecting the impact of the Government’s welfare reset and initiatives like the Traffic Light System and Kōrero Mahi seminars. These measures aim to make jobseekers more proactive and work-ready, providing practical support to help them secure sustainable employment.
Tags: Louise Upston Minister for Social Development and Employment New Zealand Jobseeker Support MSD Kōrero Mahi Traffic Light System welfare reset employment support main benefitNew Zealand Boosts Financial Support for Families, Superannuitants & Students from April
29 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 999 viewsFrom 1 April, the New Zealand government will increase financial support for over a million citizens, including superannuitants, working families, students, and beneficiaries, to help offset rising living costs due to the global fuel-price surge and Middle East conflict. Key measures include increased NZ Superannuation payments, boosted family tax credits, in-work tax credits, and changes to KiwiSaver contribution rates to encourage long-term savings. The government emphasizes targeted, responsible support to manage inflation and economic growth while safeguarding New Zealand’s financial future amid global uncertainties.
Tags: Nicola Willis New Zealand Superannuitants Working Families Students Beneficiaries KiwiSaver Finance Minister FamilyBoost Jobseeker SupportHamilton Airport Runway Extension Boosted by $6.5M Loan for Growth and Resilience
24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1226 viewsHamilton Airport will receive a $6.5 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to extend its runway by 255 meters, enhancing its capacity and resilience as a key hub for domestic and international freight and passenger transport. The upgrade, including apron expansion and lighting improvements, supports Waikato’s major manufacturers and exporters and provides an alternative airport option during disruptions at other North Island airports. The project, led by Waikato Regional Airport Ltd with a $3.3 million contribution, is expected to create up to 39 local jobs and strengthen New Zealand’s national aviation network.
Tags: Hamilton Airport runway extension Regional Infrastructure Fund Shane Jones Waikato national aviation network Regional Development Minister Waikato Regional Airport Ltd Coalition Government airport construction jobsAra Jobs and Skills Hub Celebrates 10 Years Connecting Auckland Airport to Jobs
18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 904 viewsThe Ara Jobs and Skills Hub, supported by the Ministry of Social Development for 10 years, has helped over 1,440 people into jobs and provided training to thousands within the Auckland Airport precinct. This partnership coordinates workforce planning, recruitment, and training for 800 businesses across various sectors, addressing significant workforce demands. Minister Louise Upston emphasizes the importance of this collaboration in supporting job seekers and achieving the government’s goal of reducing Jobseeker Support recipients by 50,000 by 2030.
Tags: Louise Upston Ara Jobs and Skills Hub Ministry of Social Development Auckland Airport job training workforce planning recruitment New Zealand government Jobseeker Support employmentMSD Traffic Light System Boosts Jobseeker Responsibility and Employment Outcomes
02 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 1050 viewsAn evaluation of New Zealand's traffic light system, introduced in August 2024, shows that 90% of MSD clients find it helpful for understanding their job search obligations, with nearly 99% fulfilling these responsibilities and a 10.6% decrease in sanctions. The system aims to reset welfare expectations, incentivize employment over dependency, and is supported by increased frontline services, job coaching, and incentives like a $1000 bonus for young people securing and maintaining work. The government remains committed to reducing Jobseeker Support recipients by 50,000 by 2030 through a fair, firm, and simple welfare approach that helps jobseekers be proactive and seize employment opportunities.
Tags: Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD Government traffic light system welfare system Jobseeker Support New Zealand employment social developmentGovernment-Funded Driver Licence Training Boosts Job Opportunities in New Zealand
02 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1097 viewsThe Government-funded Driver Licence Support programme in New Zealand is exceeding targets, with over 21,000 enrolments and more than 34,000 licences issued since 2023, helping job seekers gain essential driving skills. Having a driver licence is crucial for about 70% of jobs, enabling individuals to secure employment, support their families, and achieve independence, as illustrated by success stories like a young woman obtaining a traffic management job. The programme, with an 82% pass rate and significant youth participation, contributes to safer, stronger communities by improving employment opportunities and mobility.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Driver Licence Support MSD Jobseeker Support Fulton Hogan Social Development Employment Driver Licence YouthMinister Louise Upston Encourages Timaru Employers to Hire Local Jobseekers with MSD Support
22 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1170 viewsMinister Louise Upston encouraged Timaru employers to prioritize hiring jobseekers and highlighted how the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) supports businesses by matching them with skilled and suitable candidates. MSD collaborates closely with local employers like Fonterra to understand their workforce needs and build trust by connecting them with ready-to-work talent from a large pool of jobseekers. She emphasized that recruitment through MSD is about unlocking potential and creating lasting opportunities, urging employers of all sizes to engage with MSD for workforce solutions.
Tags: Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD Timaru Fonterra Jobseekers Employment Social Development Workforce RecruitmentLocal Water Done Well: $48B Investment to Upgrade NZ Water Services by 2034
10 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1010 viewsAll councils' water service delivery plans under Local Water Done Well have been assessed, with 76% of New Zealand’s population receiving services through council-controlled organisations (CCOs), addressing affordability challenges. Councils plan to invest nearly $48 billion over the next decade, including an additional $9 billion compared to previous estimates, to upgrade water infrastructure and ensure regulatory compliance after decades of underinvestment. This reform also anticipates the creation of around 9,000 new water industry jobs, balancing the need to fix existing issues while preparing for future population growth.
Tags: Simon Watts Local Water Done Well New Zealand councils water service delivery Department of Internal Affairs water infrastructure water industry jobs Local Government Minister