People not undertaking paid work are also contributing
Not everyone can undertake paid work. An opportunity exists to better recognise the contribution people make through unpaid work (such as caring for children, disabled people and elderly people and volunteering with community organisations or cultural and creative enterprises). The value of caring for children and others and volunteering in one’s community needs far greater acceptance and recognition.
Equally, a commitment is needed to ensure that people who are unable in the long-term to work because of ill health or disability can live a life with dignity. This is a fundamental human right. New Zealand must better integrate its economic and social strategies so all of its citizens have a chance to better contribute to the economy, civil society, creative and cultural identity, communities and families.
Isolated change by the welfare system is not enough – integrated, cross-system change is needed
Our social security system does not sit in isolation. Improving outcomes for people on low incomes or in some way receiving support from the welfare system requires a cross-government response. Currently, being on a benefit and/or in poverty often has a detrimental long-term impact on wellbeing for adults and children.
The reasons people receive welfare support are multifaceted, often involving a complex interplay between social, economic, psychological and biomedical factors. The social security system alone cannot prevent or mitigate these factors. What occurs in other parts of the social sector influences who comes into the welfare system and the outcomes for individuals and families supported by this system. Improving outcomes for people receiving support from the welfare system through the use of evidence-informed investments across the social sector now will benefit individuals and families and potentially save money in the longer term.
A significant group of individuals and families experience multiple and long-term disadvantage needing interactions with several government systems. They require a responsive, person-centred, cohesive system of support to improve outcomes. The lack of coordination between government services was a common theme throughout our consultation.
Several reviews and changes are under way or are about to start that could consider how to improve circumstances for people on low incomes or receiving support in some way from the social security system.
Our review contributes to a myriad of evidence about the need for fundamental change and to effect a whakamana tāngata approach to social security – an approach that gives people hope for their future. Nō reira, kia manawanui, kia piki ake te mana tangata.