Earlier changes

What's new

08 April 2024

New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans Pension

From 1 July 2024, the residence and presence requirements for New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension will change for people turning 65 on or after 1 July 2024.

The residence and presence requirement for New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension will gradually increase from 10 to 20 years.

The requirement to be in New Zealand for 5 years from the age of 50 remains the same.

The number of years people need to meet the residence and presence requirements is based on their date of birth.

For people recognised as refugees or protected persons by Immigration New Zealand, the residence and presence requirements for those who first become resident and present in New Zealand from the age of 45 to 54 may be different.

Refugees and protected persons who are first resident and present in New Zealand from the age of 55, retain the 10 years residence and presence requirement in New Zealand from the age of 20, of which 5 years must be from the age of 50.

See:

01 April 2024

Annual General Adjustment - from 1 April 2024

A large number of changes to the financial assistance available for clients due to the Annual General Adjustment have been updated and published in Map.

Rates increased on 1 April 2024 by the Annual General Adjustment have been amended in Deskfile. Other parts of Map have also been amended to incorporate the increased rates.

      Family tax credit

      Family tax credit payments increased on 1 April 2024. See:

      Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payments

      From 1 April 2024, Guaranteed Childcare Assistance Payment rates align with the highest Childcare Assistance subsidy rate, and will change each year with the Annual General Adjustment.

      As the payments were higher than standard childcare assistance rates this is the first increase since the payments started in 2012. See:

      Minimum wage

      The adult minimum wage, the starting-out wage, and the training minimum wage increased on 1 April 2024. See:

      Legislation

      The following ministerial directions have been updated for the AGA, effective from 1 April 2024:

      These are also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See ministerial directions.

      The following welfare programmes have been updated for the AGA, effective from 1 April 2024:

      These are also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See welfare programmes

      If there is anything you think has been missed or is incorrect contact us.

      Flexible Childcare Assistance

      From 1 April 2024, Flexible Childcare Assistance is being expanded to support more caregivers with informal childcare costs, including people in relationships and those getting any type of main benefit.

      Flexible Childcare Assistance can be paid to a client for a maximum of 52 weeks.

      A new operational policy manual has been added under Extra help. See:

      Legislation

      The Employment and Work Readiness Assistance Programme has been updated to include the Flexible Childcare Assistance Payment, effective from 1 April 2024.

      Temporary Accommodation Assistance

      From 1 April 2024 Temporary Accommodation Assistance has been expanded to support additional displaced homeowners who did not meet the previous qualifications for assistance.

      The applicants affected are people who:

      • did not meet the previous definition of uninhabitable due to reliance on red or yellow placards or
      • did not have insurance cover for their affected premises due to reasons beyond their control or
      • are in certain temporary accommodation agreements not covered under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986

      New clients applying between 1 April 2024 - 30 April 2024 may also qualify for a lump sum payment for some or all of the period 1 January 2024 - 29 April 2024.

      See:

      The following welfare programme has been updated, effective from 1 April 2024:

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