Carmel Sepuloni

While the speeches, song and siva at the world's largest Pacific cultural festival fall silent for another year, the celebration was very nearly silenced permanently. Polyfest was in financial ruin… Audio

The government has not considered using security guards at emergency motel accommodation, according the Social Development Minister. This morning, RNZ reported families in emergency motel… Audio

Women seriously injured while giving birth are being left without help they desperately need because ACC is taking a tougher approach.

The number of women covered for the most common type of birth… Audio

Six food hubs are planned for Auckland over the next week to help those struggling to get enough to eat during lockdown.

The hubs are part of the response to increased pressure on foodbanks and will… Audio

Central Otago orchard owners say the push for workers isn't over as they prepare for harvest season.

Today government ministers visited an apple orchard near Alexandra to speak with workers and… Audio

For the first time ever, an ava or blessing ceremony has been held to welcome new Pasifika MPs to New Zealand's parliament. Audio

The government is this morning announcing new incentives to attract New Zealand workers to the wine and horticulture sector.

This comes alongside the news that 2000 seasonal workers from the Pacific… Audio

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivered a Cabinet this week with diversity at the front and centre of her post-election 2020 line-up. Audio

An Election 2020 debate on the arts, with MPs from National, Labour and the Greens exploring their policy differences and similiarities. Miriama Kamo is in the chair. Audio

About 50,000 people who've lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic are now on the jobseeker benefit.

Treasury projections show unemployment is expected to peak at 7.7 percent next year before… Audio

Beneficiaries are going to be encouraged to do more volunteering, but the government's been warned it needs to ensure this doesn't turn into a 'work for the dole' scheme.

Social Development Minister… Audio

A new service is open to help connect everyone seeking and offering employment and training.

The service can be accessed online, by phone or on site at government hubs.

It aims to help people find a… Audio

The 52nd Parliament has come to an end and in typical parliamentary fashion the MPs finished it off with a debate. Audio

New government funding will help New Zealanders get out of debt in the wake of Covid-19.

In late May, the Commission for Financial Capability found that 40 percent of households are now at risk of… Audio

As jobless rates and redundancies rise amid the covid fallout, a multi-million dollar boost to an Auckland jobs programme hopes to bring 700 more people into work. Video, Audio

It's the beginning of the end for the original Covid-19 wage subsidy, as the 12-week, $11 billion scheme draws to a close.

The government expects close to a million people to come off the subsidy… Audio

For 12 weeks from the eighth of June, the government will pay up to $490 a week to people who lose their job due to Covid-19, and it estimates around 230,000 people could apply.

The maximum amount… Audio

The Government will pay up to $490 to people who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19 as part of a new relief payment announced today.

The payment will be given to New Zealanders who've lost… Audio

A new report on the nearly 40,000 people who signed on for the unemployment benefit during lockdown shows they're more likely to be first time beneficiaries, higher earners, recently returned from… Audio

In the first week of alert level 3 MPs have speedily passed a tax bill, started a performance review of the Government and heard views on prisoner voting. Audio