The Welfare Expert Advisory Group Report has now completed its Report – Wakamana Tāngata – Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand

In May 2018 the Government established the Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) to advise them on the future of New Zealand’s social security system.

The WEAG has now completed its Report – Wakamana Tāngata – Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand.

The independence granted the WEAG and our Terms of Reference has enabled the most wide-ranging review of the system in a generation.

Our review has led us to the clear and unequivocal conclusion that fundamental change is needed to ensure we have a social security system that is fair and accessible for everyone who needs support, thus ensuring a better future for all New Zealanders.

We would like to thank all the people who contributed to this work. During our national consultation we heard from over 3,000 New Zealanders and their input has been invaluable. Our Report has also been informed by commissioned reports, reviews of relevant literature and data and previous welfare reports.

Our recommendations seek to embed a new basis for social security, restoring trust in the system and enabling whakamana tāngata, to ensure people can live in dignity so they can participate meaningfully with their families and communities.

As from the 28 February 2019 the Welfare Expert Advisory Group has completed its work. If you have any questions about the review, please contact [email protected].

For matters relating to the response to the Welfare Expert Advisory Group’s report, contact the Office of the Minister for Social Development.

Read the full report