New Zealand's welfare system provides financial support and services to citizens in need due to unemployment, low income, disability, illness, or other circumstances.

Jobseeker Support is for those seeking work or temporarily unable to work due to health conditions or disabilities.

Sole Parent Support is available for single parents with dependent children until the youngest child turns 18, encouraging work participation when children are school-aged.

Supported Living Payment is for individuals with significant health issues, injuries, or disabilities limiting their work capability.

Youth Payment and Young Parent Payment cater to 16-17 year olds with limited parental support, focusing on education or employment.

New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) offers a universal pension for citizens or residents aged 65 and over.

Veteran’s Pension supports former service personnel.

Supplementary assistance includes the Accommodation Supplement for rent, board, or mortgage costs, Childcare Subsidy for working or studying parents, Disability Allowance for ongoing disability-related expenses, Child Disability Allowance for parents of children with serious disabilities, Temporary Additional Support for those with insufficient income, and the Winter Energy Payment for heating costs during winter to NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension recipients and main benefit holders.

Other support services encompass Work and Income Services for job-seeking, training, and employment assistance, Hardship Assistance for urgent or unexpected costs, the Community Services Card for discounts on healthcare, Student Allowance for financial aid to tertiary students, and Public Housing managed by Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities.

Key features of the system involve income testing, where benefits decrease as income rises, work or activity obligations to promote employment or community involvement, sanctions for not meeting obligations, and periodic reviews or reapplications for benefits like Jobseeker Support.

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) through Work and Income administers this system. Continuous discussions and reforms aim at modernizing welfare, balancing support with work incentives, and ensuring system sustainability, often focusing on reducing long-term benefit dependency. 

Our goal is not to cut or drastically alter the benefits New Zealanders rely on; instead, we aim to improve the welfare system in practical ways that help people take charge of their own lives. By emphasizing opportunities in employment, education, and personal growth, we seek to build avenues that lessen reliance on welfare, promote self-respect and independence, all while maintaining strong support for those in greatest need.