Welfare Expert Advisory Group Report

In February 2019 the Government released the Welfare Expert Advisory Group’s (WEAG’S) report Whakamana Tāngata: Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand.

The WEAG website contained information on the Group and its final report including in alternate formats. An archived version of the site can be accessed here.

The archived website includes all material produced by the WEAG during its operation.

Cabinet Papers, Cabinet minutes and Coversheets relating to the Welfare Expert Advisory Group

Interim Report of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group

Read the Cabinet minutes associated with the Interim Report of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group

R - SWC-18-MIN-0154 Minute_Redacted (PDF 113.72KB)

Oral Item: Report of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group

Read the Coversheet and Cabinet minutes associated with the Oral Item: Report of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group.

Coversheet 6 March (Word 75.31KB)

SWC-19-MIN-0009 Cabinet Minute - Oral Item_ Report of the Welfare Expert (PDF 166.84KB)

Welfare Overhaul – Advice from the Welfare Expert Advisory Group and next Steps

Read the Cabinet Paper, Coversheet and Cabinet minutes associated with the Welfare Overhaul – Advice from the Welfare Expert Advisory Group and Next Steps:

Coversheet 15 April (Word 76.12KB)

CAB-19-MIN-0170 - Cabinet Minute - Welfare Overhaul_ Advice from the Wel (PDF 182.05KB)

Cabinet Paper - Welfare Overhaul_ Advice from the Welfare Expert Advisor (PDF 1.62MB)

Welfare Overhaul Work Programme Cabinet Papers

Welfare Overhaul Work Programme Update: key priorities and next steps. - Ministry of Social Development

Welfare Overhaul: Update on Progress and Long-Term Plan - Ministry of Social Development

Welfare Overhaul Work Programme Update - Ministry of Social Development

Establishing the Welfare Expert Advisory Group - Ministry of Social Development

Evidence review papers

The Ministry of Social Development provided the WEAG with advice on a number of areas to inform the group’s work.

The papers can be viewed below. These are essentially Rapid Evidence Reviews commissioned by WEAG from MSD. 2 papers were co-authored with the Social Wellbeing Agency.

Exploring a new approach to wellbeing measurement: Are people who move from benefit to paid employment better off- joint MSD and SWA presentation (PDF 289.1KB)

Families and whanau and the benefit system - A high-level initial briefing (PDF 831.68KB)

Obligations and Sanctions Rapid Evidence Review Paper 1: An overview (PDF 189.43KB)

Obligations and Sanctions Rapid Evidence Review Paper 2: Work-related sanctions (PDF 250.66KB)

Obligations and Sanctions Rapid Evidence Review Paper 3: Usage of work-related sanctions since 2001 (PDF 542.59KB)

Obligations and Sanctions Rapid Evidence Review Paper 4: Drug testing obligations and sanctions (PDF 250.58KB)

Obligations and Sanctions Rapid Evidence Review Paper 5: The 52-week reapplication for Sole Parent Support and benefit cancellations (PDF 300.36KB)

Obligations and Sanctions Rapid Evidence Review Paper 6: Voluntary intensive case management (PDF 248.05KB)

Obligations and Sanctions Rapid Evidence Review Paper 7: Social obligations (PDF 180.62KB)

Obligations and Sanctions Rapid Evidence Review Paper 8: Work obligations for sole parents and outcomes for children (PDF 205.49KB)

Rapid Evidence Review: The impact of poverty on life course outcomes for children, and the likely effect of increasing the adequacy of welfare benefits (PDF 485.16KB)

The living standards of people supported by income-tested main benefits - joint MSD and SWA presentation (PDF 469.92KB)