Media Releases - 2007

“The Ministry of Social Development is in contract negotiations with Gen-i and Vodafone for its telecommunications service contract agreement,” announced Chief Information Officer Tim Occleshaw. The new Telecommunications Service Contract will provide for all data, voice and mobility communications connectivity throughout the Ministry.

Some regions that have historically lagged behind others in areas like income and employment made the greatest strides in social wellbeing between 2001 and 2006, according to the Ministry of Social Development's latest social report. "New census data has allowed us to update the majority of regional indicators. The majority of indicators have improved across most regions," said Don Gray, head of Social Development Policy and Knowledge.

The Ministry of Social Development today confirmed that benefit records are being data matched against birth records in an effort to prevent false identity fraud after the sentencing today of multiple benefit fraudster Wayne Patterson.

The Ministry of Social Development today released information revealing how it detected and caught multiple benefit fraudster Wayne Patterson. The arrest of 48 year old Patterson in October last year followed a significant joint operation led by a special Ministry of Social Development taskforce. Ministry of Social Development Chief Executive Peter Hughes today applauded the cooperation of the numerous agencies that aided the capture and successful prosecution of a career criminal who established 123 false identities to claim $3.4 million in benefit payments over three years.

As multiple benefit fraudster Wayne Patterson begins the first night of his latest jail sentence, Ministry of Social Development Chief Executive Peter Hughes questions whether Patterson now thinks it was all worth it. "His latest prison sentence comes after a continual chain of offending spanning more than 25 years. He has served jail time in New Zealand, Australia and the United States on a raft of fraud and burglary charges." said Peter Hughes.

Ministry of Social Development Chief Executive Peter Hughes today reinforced the organisation's zero tolerance of benefit fraud. Just hours after 48 year old Wayne Patterson was sentenced to 8 years for multiple benefit fraud involving $3.4 million, Peter Hughes fronted up to media, to outline measures the Ministry is using in its ongoing fight against benefit fraud.

Child, Youth and Family has a  focus on keeping families together, but most importantly the welfare and interests of the child are the first and paramount consideration. Children thrive in a permanent homes that provide a sense of emotional, cultural and personal belonging, and the opportunity for life long attachments.  It is very important that we work Qian’s family to achieve this for her.

Qian Xun Xue and her grandmother, Madame Liu, were reunited this afternoon to the visible delight of both.

Child, Youth and Family ask all of the Australasian media  - please do not actively pursue Qian Xun and her family. Please do not make this vulnerable young child face the full exposure of the media just for the sake of a photo, or a story. Child, Youth and Family will make public as much information as we can without breaching the privacy of the family or compromising the police investigation.

Qian Xun's grandmother: "Today, is a traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a day for all the family members get together. However, I come here with grief feeling to arrange my daughter’s funeral. At this moment, anyone who has a conscience would understand the deepest pain in my broken heart..."

Greater support and new services are being introduced for people with ill health and disabled people, Acting Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said today. "The number of working age people receiving an illness or disability type benefit worldwide is rising. In New Zealand we have slowed the growth in these benefits dramatically, and these services will make even more of a difference to the lives of disabled people and those with ill health," Mr Maharey said.

The Campaign for Action on Family Violence is a major initiative of the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families. The campaign will add to raising awareness of the family violence in our communities.

Senior Citizens Minister Ruth Dyson and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Rick Barker today welcomed the launch of the SuperGold Card for older New Zealanders and veterans.

Emergency assistance is available to people who have been affected by the recent extreme weather events in New Plymouth, Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel.

Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope today opened the consultation period for the Out of School Services Five Year Action Plan. "The Government is seeking the views of the public on the draft of the action plan, which aims to improve the supply of good quality and affordable out of school care for five to 13 year olds," said Mr Benson-Pope.

The Ministry of Social Development today released research on custodial remands of young offenders in police cells or in a Child, Youth and Family Residences.

The Ministry of Social Development is committed to working through historic claims of abuse or maltreatment. “I will ensure that each and every one of the individuals involved is treated with dignity and respect. They will be listened to,” said Ministry Chief Executive Peter Hughes.

The number of people receiving an unemployment benefit has dropped by a further 35 percent, or some 16,000, since March last year, Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope announced today.

A Government 0800 flood helpline has been set up to provide information on government services for people affected by the Northland floods, Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope said today.

Child poverty, aging populations, and ethnic diversity are just some of the many topics that will be under discussion next week at a major social policy conference being hosted by the Ministry of Social Development

More than half a million older New Zealanders will get up to an extra $13 a week as a result of increases to Superannuation and Veterans Pensions to be introduced on 1 April, says Social Development Minister, David Benson-Pope.

The full implementation of the Working for Families package on Sunday will be an important milestone in the Labour-led government's work for New Zealand families, Social Development and Employment Minister David Benson-Pope said today.

"The Ministry of Social Development's new client management system will enable our staff to work even more effectively to support clients into work. The new smart system streamlines administration time and supports best practice case management" said Work and Income Deputy Chief Executive Liz Jones.

Latest benefit figures show that there are now 62,735 fewer children living in a household claiming a main benefit than in December 1999, says Social Development and Employment Minister, David Benson-Pope.

Ministry of Social Development Chief Executive Peter Hughes says he is disappointed that the website attacking Child, Youth and Family staff is still live and gaining more exposure through the media.