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Housing

Associated Ministers

17 May, 2013

Social housing reforms sent to select committee

A bill to create the right environment to support the growth of the social housing sector and ensure housing assistance is focused on those with the highest need passed its first reading in Parliament today.

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16 May, 2013

Housing accords legislation passes first reading

A bill to urgently increase the supply of land and affordability of housing has passed its first reading 104 votes to 15 in Parliament tonight and has been sent to a select committee for urgent consideration.

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16 May, 2013

Legislation for housing accords, land supply

Special legislation to enable councils and the Government to streamline new housing developments in areas where housing is least affordable will be introduced to Parliament today.

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16 May, 2013

Housing WoF to be developed and trialled

The Government is to develop a Housing Warrant of Fitness system and trial it on Housing New Zealand properties, Housing Minister Nick Smith says.

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16 May, 2013

Reforms focus state housing on highest need

All Housing New Zealand tenancies will be reviewed to ensure state housing is focused on people with the highest housing need, Housing Minister Nick Smith says.

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16 May, 2013

Housing package improves affordability, access

Budget 2013 contains an ambitious and comprehensive package of measures aimed at making houses more affordable and improving access to social housing, Finance Minister Bill English and Housing Minister Nick Smith say.

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16 May, 2013

Change from state housing to social housing

Budget 2013 makes fundamental changes to the way the Government delivers housing assistance to those most in need, Housing Minister Nick Smith and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett say.

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14 May, 2013

Families Commission Board appointments

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announces new Families Commission Board appointments and acknowledges an outgoing member.

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14 May, 2013

$377 million for extra bedrooms and infill housing

Housing Minister Nick Smith today announced two initiatives which will result in the building of up to 3000 new state house bedrooms and 500 new homes.

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11 May, 2013

Residential construction costs to be scrutinised

A market study into residential construction costs has been released today for public input by the Government.

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10 May, 2013

Housing supply and affordability addressed in Auckland Accord

An Auckland Housing Accord has been agreed today by Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Auckland Mayor Len Brown to urgently increase the supply and affordability of housing in Auckland.

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7 May, 2013

Budgeting Services get extra funding

The Government is supporting people on low incomes by investing more money into organisations providing budgeting advice and support.

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6 May, 2013

Budget 2013: Kāinga whenua infrastructure grant

The Government has announced the Kāinga Whenua infrastructure grant aimed at helping Māori Land Trusts and other collectives to develop housing on ancestral Māori land.

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23 April, 2013

Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project progressing well

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is pleased with progress on MSD-led initiatives within the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project.

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12 April, 2013

$320m HNZ insurance settlement welcomed

The settlement of Housing New Zealand’s insurance claim over 5559 damaged homes is a significant and welcome step in Canterbury’s recovery from the devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, says Minister of Housing Dr Nick Smith.

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10 April, 2013

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren provide valuable advice

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is working with Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) to discuss support for their members.

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5 April, 2013

Funding improvements for out of school care

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced changes to the funding system for Out of School Care (OSCAR) programmes.

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4 April, 2013

Report on housing pressures in Christchurch released

Today's report on the housing pressures in Christchurch shows that the city faces ongoing challenges in meeting peoples' accommodation needs that will require ongoing Government intervention and assistance, says Minister of Housing Nick Smith.

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4 April, 2013

Govt steps up Christchurch housing response

Forty new houses are to be constructed at the Rangers Park subdivision to provide additional temporary accommodation and help revitalise Christchurch’s eastern suburbs, Minister of Housing Dr Nick Smith announced today.

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13 March, 2013

Report highlights need for additional land

It is essential that more land is made available for housing to improve supply and affordability in Auckland, Minister of Housing Dr Nick Smith said today in releasing the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment report ‘Residential Land Available in Auckland’.

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13 March, 2013

Census provides work experience and jobs

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has welcomed a deal which has provided two weeks paid full-time work experience in the Census call centre.

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12 March, 2013

Serious health issues addressed for children in care

The $43.7 million initiative to provide Gateway Assessments for children in care is making a difference says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

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4 March, 2013

Advocacy service continues to receive funding

There have been no cuts to government funding to the Benefit Advocacy Information Service and the Ministry of Social Development continues to fund this advocacy service in line with other similar organisations.

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3 March, 2013

2012 saw Benefit Numbers Decrease

The number of people on the Domestics Purposes Benefit, Invalids Benefit and Unemployment Benefit all decreased in 2012.

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28 February, 2013

Innovative social media projects reach out to young people

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today launched the Social Media Innovations Fund with five projects to focus on improving youth mental health.

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28 February, 2013

Benefit figures under forecast

With a focus on helping people off welfare and into work, benefit numbers have remained below predictions despite the economic conditions.

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26 February, 2013

Future Focus gets results

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says policy changes introduced through staged welfare reforms are seeing real gains for New Zealanders.

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22 February, 2013

Sexual violence sector deserves leadership

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has taken Ministerial leadership of the sexual violence sector which currently sits across several portfolios.

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15 February, 2013

$3m boost for social housing

Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today announced Government grants of $3.11 million have been given to help build 26 new social housing units in Auckland, Nelson and Canterbury.

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10 February, 2013

Social Development Minister to USA summit

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett leaves for Washington DC today where she is the keynote speaker at a home visiting conference next week.

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