NZ needs a new direction...

[Lilith7]

I'm sure you understand that prior to benefits being available, the situation was far worse with starvation being a distinct possibility for some. There are actually some people who'd prefer that to still be the case.

People do still need to look after themselves - a far as I understand it, WINZ doesn't offer any cleaning, washing, lawnmowing, gardening, parenting services. 

And if people don't meet the requirements then they won't get a benefit; no benefit is 'forever'.




Interestingly, I've just stumbled across this - nice easy life on a benefit for this woman. Not.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/bay-of-plenty/30...ommodation

Yes I saw that too. WINZ let her down big time. Usually those "woe is me" stories have another side - like people who can't get a house because they've destroyed the last one. Or kept on having kids after being on the benefit. This one looks genuine and didn't deserve what she got.

Benefits are often forever. There are plenty of multi-generational households where everyone is on benefits and will continue that way. For those who are disabled that's fine. For those who are (or should be) fit and healthy, that's a HUGE problem.

Hang on though - that's not altogether fair. Health isn't always a matter of choice is it; regardless of however virtuously someone lives they may very well still get ill. Or be involved in an accident.

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Did I read that correctly, 7 Kids?  The cancer is terrible for her but was she ever planning on getting back to work ...

Perhaps getting pregnant WAS her job so she could remain on the benefit?

You may have missed the part in the article where it was made clear that she & her partner had only recently split up.