Angie Warren-Clark Labour MP

We're working hard to lift incomes and to support Kiwis to get ahead.

Last week, we took the next steps with a suite of changes which came into force on April 1. These changes see more than one million people receive a bit more in their pocket to help with the cost of living.

More affordable

Through increases to Working for Families and the Best Start payment, we're providing more support for whānau. We've also made childcare more affordable for many low and middle income families by expanding childcare assistance income thresholds. On top of that, main benefits increased by the rate of inflation, meaning a family on a benefit with children receive an extra $40.86 a week and a sole parent receive an extra $31.83 a week.

It's not just families seeing a boost to their incomes. Tertiary students receiving student allowance or student loan living cost payments see around $20 extra each payment. Thanks to our minimum wage boost, full-time minimum wage workers now earn an extra $60 a week too.

Seniors

Seniors here in the Bay of Plenty also benefit from this week's changes. Single people on Superannuation now receive an extra $66.86 each payment and a couple, who are both aged 65-plus, receive $102.84 more in total a fortnight.

While these measures alone won't fix everything, they will make a difference for many – and right now, I know every bit counts when making ends meet.