Paula Bennett
150,000 unemployed, but fewer claiming benefits
While the unemployment rate has hit a nine year high, the number of people signing on to the dole has dropped slightly. Audio
Carers say new respite holiday camps not the answer
A new system of respite care for children being raised by their extended family is being criticised for having the potential to do more harm than good. Audio
60,660 people needed an unemployment benefit in September
The government's celebrating a slow down in unemployment - but the past month still saw 15-hundred new unemployment beneficiaries. Audio
Child welfare in New Zealand
The OECD's first-ever report on child well-being in its 30 member countries paints a bleak picture of life in New Zealand for some children, with high rates of child poverty, teen pregnancy and… Audio
$84 million to tackle youth offending
The Government has announced plans to spend 84 million dollars over the next four years to curb youth offending. Audio
Uptake of subsidised youth jobs scheme
Paula Bennett; Minister of Social Development, Bernadette Perana; owner of Bernie's Restaurant in Te Kuiti who is hiring two young people on the scheme, Alastair Thompson; Chief Executive of… Audio
More frontline staff for Work and Income
Work and Income is getting 303 more front line staff as the number of people on the unemployment benefit tips over 55,000. Audio
Labour help beneficiary lay privacy complaint against minister
Labour is assisting a beneficiary to lay a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner over Paula Bennett's decision to make public her and another woman's income. Audio
Labour accused of backtracking on dole policy
The Government is accusing the Labour Party of backtracking on its policy to make the unemployment benefit available to more people. Audio
Numbers in dole queue exceed 50,000
There's been, what the Minister of Social Development is describing, as a dramatic increase in the number of people going on the dole. Audio
Bennett drops Disabilities to focus on employment
The Employment Minister Paula Bennett is giving up the Disabilities portfolio to concentrate on employment issues. Audio
McDonalds to help train unemployed
A new government scheme to be launched in the coming months will see McDonalds restaurants train unemployed young people. Audio
Rankin warned over airing referendum opinions
Both the Prime Minister and the Social Development Minister have spoken to the Families Commissioner Christine Rankin warning her against campaigning for the no vote in the smacking referendum. Audio
Angry West Aucklanders front up at super city meeting
Waitakere residents have promised to fight the Auckland super-city plan. Audio
Minister admits mishandling Rankin announcement
The appointment of Christine Rankin as a Families Commissioner has ruffled feathers amongst the government's support partners. Audio
Gabrielle Maxwell and Paula Bennett
Amendments to lower the age of criminal responsibility to twelve for serious crimes are at the select committee phase. Audio
Bennett defends 9 day fortnight
A new report says job subsidies are a waste of money and don't work. Audio
Smaller businesses can now join the 9 day fortnight
With just three businesses joining the nine-day-fortnight scheme, Government's extending it so more companies can take part. Audio
Government threatens to ban Labour from job meetings
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Labour leader Phil Goff joined Morning Report. Audio
Nine day fortnight
Some in the business community say the Government's latest initiative to stave off job losses doesn't go far enough. Audio