All the cash boosts Kiwis will get from 1 April
The cost of living crisis has hit many New Zealanders hard, but some help is on the way. From the beginning of April, increases to the pension, benefit, student allowance and childcare subsidies will benefit 1.4 million Kiwis.
At the same time, the minimum wage will also increase by $1.50 to $22.70 per hour.
These increases are being touted as helping the New Zealanders struggling the most right now, Sense Partners economist Shamubeel Eaqub tells The Front Page podcast it will take more than this to solve the ongoing problem of poverty in this country.
“Every little bit helps,” says Eaqub.
“The cost of living has gone up and people who do very hard work on these fairly low-paid jobs are going to find that there’s a little bit more money, but the reality is that because there are just so many taxes, even for very poor people in New Zealaand, not a lot of that will end up in the family kitty.”
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Here’s a rundown of all the changes coming on 1 April:
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Superannuation will increase by over $100 for a couple per fortnight and nearly $70 for individuals.
Main benefits to increase by the rate of inflation, meaning a family on a benefit with children will receive an extra $40.86 a week and a sole parent will receive an extra $31.83 a week.
Student support rates will increase in line with inflation, with single students under 24 without children getting an extra $20.21 per week.
The minimum wage will increase by $1.50 to $22.70 per hour.
The income thresholds for the childcare subsidy will increase.
The latest figures show that 120,000 children are still living below the poverty line in New Zealand, barely decreasing from the figures released last year.
“This shows us we’ve got to do so much more,” says Eaqub.
“We cannot have policies that go thinly over too many people. We’ve got have courage and boldness and we’ve got to spend much more money if we’re actually going to deal with it. Poverty is entirely fixable. We know the kinds of policies that work, but it requires us to take money away policies that are spread too thin and give money to people who do not deserve it.
So what policies would make more sense? Do politicians have the appetite to drive that change? Could childcare subsidies simply lead to increase costs? And is it time to seriously think about changing our superannuation system?
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www.nzherald.co.nz...
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Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.2% Yes
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34% Maybe?
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24.8% No
Auckland Transport----Free weekend travel for kids Making family outings easier
Did you know kids aged 5 to 15 can ride buses, trains, and ferries for FREE every weekend and public holiday with an AT HOP card?
But wait, there’s more! Load a child concession onto your child’s MyAT account and unlock 40% off weekday travel too. Managing their HOP card is super easy: create an AT HOP profile under your MyAT account, enter their birthday, and you’re good to go.
So, grab those HOP cards, tag on, and start exploring, because family adventures shouldn’t come with a price tag!
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Great news for Auckland’s tertiary students!
From 14 December, tertiary students will enjoy even bigger savings! The tertiary discount is increasing from 20% to 40% off AT HOP adult fares on buses, trains, and most ferries.
If you already have a tertiary concession loaded on your AT HOP card, there’s nothing you need to do, the increased discount will be applied automatically.
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Summer Rail Upgrades
27 December 2025 to 28 January 2026
We’re upgrading your rail network this summer as we get closer to more trains, more often, when City Rail Link opens up in 2026.
27 December – 18 January: Full rail network closure.
9 – 26 January: Partial rail network closure.
27 – 28 January: Full network closure for City Rail Link testing.
Rail replacement buses will be available throughout the summer rail upgrades to keep you moving.
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IKEA Sylvia Park – What to Expect Now That It’s Open
If you’re planning a visit to IKEA Sylvia Park, consider taking public transport.
Train: Eastern Line - it's about 19 minutes from Waitematā to Sylvia Park.
Bus: Six routes serve the area. Five stop directly at Sylvia Park shopping centre, and another stops on Carbine Road, close to IKEA.
For bulky purchases, home delivery is available to help reduce congestion and parking queues.
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Enjoy the festive season without the fuss.
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Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
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