Photo: RNZThe Green Party is crying foul after the government admitted more than half of families in material hardship will not benefit from its fuel support package. "According to the latest figures from Statistics New Zealand for 2024-25, 48% of children in material hardship are in working households. This support we are providing is intended to be timely, temporary, and targeted at those most in need," she said. "That is 52% of parents with children material hardship won't be covered by the in-work, tax credit boost ... this may be children of beneficiaries. "So we think it's appropriate that those working parents are who we target with this relief."

Source: Otago Daily Times March 26, 2026 13:57 UTC