Legislation that rolls back tax cuts promised by the previous government and instead extends Working for Families has been passed through the House under urgency.
The Labour-led Government's Familes Package also boosts the accommodation suplement, introduces a payment for young babies and a winter payment for superannuitants and most beneficiaries.
The changes will kick into effect in July 2018 and the package are projected to cost $5.53 billion over the next five years.
Debate over fast-tracking the Families Package (Income Tax and Benefits) Bill, including the omission of the select committee process, ranged throughout each stage of the Bill and the Opposition took advantage of the Committee of the Whole House to delay the passage of the Bill as much as possible.
But the bill passed 63 votes to 43 - with Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens in support and National opposed.
The Minister of Finance Grant Robertson shares details of the Families Package in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2017. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
