Ministry Of Social Development
Emergency housing providers instructed not to talk to media
The Ministry of Social Development has apologised to emergency housing providers after a manager told them they cannot talk to media without first talking to the ministry. Audio
Couple sentenced over $245,000 MSD fraud
A Nelson couple have been sentenced after defrauding about $245,000 from the Ministry of Social Development over 15 years.
'Extremely disappointing': Minister still concerned after privacy near-miss
The Ministry of Social Development's report into last week's privacy near-miss raises more questions than answers, the responsible minister says.
Salvation Army turning away 2-3 families a day in Auckland
"It's a build it and they'll come scenario" says Salvation Army's Alan Johnson. He says the more that's done, the more need seems to emerge and right now we're facing unprecedented levels of… Audio
Motels given millions to house homeless
The government is defending its emergency housing grant scheme, after it was revealed some motels were paid more than $100,000 a month. Video, Audio
PM puts his anecdote on the line
The PM put the cat among the pigeons this week when he said the drug habits of too many Kiwis ruled them out of getting a job. Mediawatch looks at how the media responded to a story by anecdotes. Video, Audio
Law expert critical of new MSD demands
The Ministry of Social Development is insisting social services hand over clients' personal details. But Dean of Law at University of Canterbury, Ursula Cheer, says the new rules have an element of… Audio
Mother blames benefit prosecution warning for daughter's death
A mother believes her daughter would not have died if the Ministry of Social Development hadn't threatened to prosecute her for welfare fraud.
WINZ shootings: MSD convicted for safety breach
The Ministry of Social Development has been convicted for breaching workplace safety legislation, but no further penalty has been imposed.
Protest in Auckland against precarious work
Nine people have been arrested for trespassing following a protest at a recruitment agency in Auckland.
Battling WINZ to stop overpayments
A Rotorua beneficiary who has been overpaid by Work and Income says it will take him five years to repay the extra money. Audio
Worksafe says attack on WINZ staff was foreseeable
A fatal attack on Ashburton Work and Income staff was foreseeable and more should have been done to prevent it, Worksafe has said. Audio
MSD pleads guilty over WINZ shootings
The Ministry of Social Development has asked to not be convicted under health and safety laws over the Ashburton WINZ office murders. Audio
14 social service providers lose government contracts
The National Council for Women will have to look for new funding after the Ministry of Social Development ended its contract with the organisation.
A business with heart
Southland Disability Enterprises is a place where people with disabilities find work and friendship - but it depends, in part, on a scheme that pays its workers less than minimum wage. Audio
Former foster child on proposed changes
Daryl Brougham had more than 30 placements when he was a foster child, he wrote about his life in a book called "Through the Eyes of a Foster Child" Video, Audio
Structure of MSD and CYF both up in the air following review
The structure of both the Ministry of Social Development and Child Youth and Family are up in the air following a major review of how they deal with vulnerable children. Political editor Chris… Audio
Ministry investigates WINZ privacy breach
An investigation has been launched into how a Work and Income client was able to access someone else's information. Audio
State care abuse victims suing Ministry of Social Development
People who were abused in state care are suing the government for $740,000 for what they say is a failure to act when they asked for their personal records.
Mayor says Hamilton homeless project could be replicated
We've been reporting on the increasing numbers of people asking for help with emergency housing. Yesterday we carried an interview with a spokesperson from the Ministry of Social Development who… Audio