NF519 File No:2275-1
 

9 July 1999

Chairperson and Members
Low Income Sub-Committee
PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

This report covers the concerns of Palmerston North about the some of the impacts of WINZ service on the local community. It is not an independent evaluation of WINZ which is more the concern of central government. It records concerns of 134 people who contacted Palmerston North City Council or a participating community group in the month of May 1999, following an invitation by the mayor for community groups to send her their concerns.

Concerns about WINZ have been gathering momentum since benefits were reduced in 1991, and a much greater emphasis was placed on targeting (using supplementary benefits to meet needs where the basic benefit is insufficient). Impacts on Palmerston North can be seen in rising foodbank usage, the high numbers using Advocacy Services to gain extra assistance, and communities concerns as expressed in media.

The stories cover a wide range of issues. Many of these concerns had already been raised in previously published Department of Social Welfare Reports. Major concerns arising were:

staff attitude; mistakes; not enough money; access to WINZ staff privacy; not knowing entitlements; and a large number of miscellaneous cases showing the wide range of issues that WINZ must deal with.

SURVEY OF CONCERNS ABOUT WINZ

www.wairaka.net/ubinz/IR/1999WINZconcernSummary.html