Community Forums in October & November: Welfare Expert Advisory Group

The Welfare Expert Advisory Group was established in May this year to advise the Government on options to ensure the welfare system is accessible and fair to all New Zealanders.  To ensure people have an adequate income and standard of living, are treated with and can live in dignity and are able to participate meaningfully in their communities.

There is a growing concern around the potential marginalisation of different groups of New Zealanders, including an increase in homelessness and complex housing demands sitting alongside high rates of children in poverty.

The WEAG is focused on improving the lives of people who engage with the system every day, rather than achieving a narrow set of goals.  They will be focusing on solutions that will ensure the system is fair and accessible for all New Zealanders.

They are keen to hear your views on the Welfare System, in particular:

• what is working well
• what could be done better
• what isn’t working well in the welfare system
• what level of support should be available
• what are the values that should underpin our welfare system.

They will be visiting 16 locations around the country, holding community forums, as well as running an online survey.

For more information on how to have your say visit the website at www.weag.govt.nz

All venues are fully accessible. New Zealand Sign Language interpreters will be available at all community forums.