List of amendments

Source

Notes

Instrument amending Welfare Programmes (Modernisation - Automated Decision-Making - End of School Year) 2026

Gazette notice:
Number 2026-sl4414, dated 11 August 2026

Effective date: 4 September 2026

This instrument, which comes into force on 4 September 2026, amends nine welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018 in response to the amendments made through the Social Security (Modernisation) Amendment Act 2026 (Modernisation Act). The welfare programmes that are being amended are set out in Schedule 1 of this instrument.

The instrument inserts provisions into the specified welfare programmes to reflect policy changes for the end of school year review process under the Modernisation Act. Under this process, a dependent child is excluded from being included in a caregiver's benefit or special assistance once the child turns 18, unless the caregiver confirms (and the Ministry is satisfied) that the child is not financially independent and is in school or tertiary education. The child will then continue to be included in the caregiver's benefit or special assistance until the earlier of the child being financially independent, leaving school or tertiary education, or until 31 December following the child's 18th birthday.

The instrument incorporates the above policy changes into seven of the specified welfare programmes by inserting a new definition of dependent child in each programme. Under the new definition, the Ministry can include an 18 year old child as a dependent child for the purposes of an application for special assistance under each of the programmes, if either of the following circumstances apply:

• the applicant has an 18 year old child included in their benefit or special assistance as a dependent child under the relevant end of school year provisions of the Social Security Act 2018, or
• the applicant does not receive a benefit or special assistance under the Social Security Act to which the relevant end of school year provisions apply, but they have an 18 year old child who would meet the same criteria to be included as a dependent child in a benefit or special assistance (if those provisions did apply), in that the child is not financially independent and is in school or tertiary education.

The instrument also makes consequential amendments and minor editorial corrections to existing language in the welfare programmes.

These amendments ensure that the welfare programmes continue to operate as intended following the changes made by the Modernisation Act.

Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes (Contributions from Boarders) 2025

Gazette notice:
Number 2025-sl6998, dated 3 December 2025

Effective date: 2 March 2026

This instrument, which comes into force on 2 March 2026, amends three Ministerial directions and three Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018 in response to the amendments made through the Social Assistance Legislation (Accommodation Supplement and Income-related Rent) Amendment Act 2025 (the Amendment Act). The Ministerial directions and Ministerial welfare programmes that are being amended are set out in Schedules 1 and 2 of this Instrument.

The changes are necessary as the Amendment Act repeals sections 65(2) and 66(3) of the Social Security Act 2018 (the Act), which define "accommodation costs" and "premises" respectively. Where relevant, references to "accommodation costs" or "weekly accommodation costs" have been replaced by "weekly qualifying accommodation costs" in order to be consistent with the changes made by the Amendment Act. Definitions of "premises" have also been updated in response to the changes in the Amendment Act.

These amendments ensure that these Ministerial directions and welfare programmes continue to operate as intended following the changes made by the Amendment Act.

The amendments also make minor editorial corrections.

Instrument amending Ministerial Direction and Welfare Programmes (Child Support Pass On) 2023;

Gazette notice:
Number 2023-sI3778, dated 15 August 2023

Effective date: 22 August 2023

This instrument, which comes into force on 22 August 2023, amends a Ministerial direction and multiple Ministerial welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018 to give effect to the Child Support (Pass on) Acts Amendment Act 2023.

The amendments clarify that when a person's weekly income is calculated, for the purposes of the direction and the welfare programmes outlined in Schedules 1 and 2, their weekly income will include both income calculated under clause 13 and Part 3A of Schedule 3 of the Social Security Act 2018.

Instrument amending Ministerial Directions and Welfare Programmes (No 2) 2018

Gazette notice:
Number 5345, dated 26 October 2018

Effective date: 26 November 2018

This instrument, which is made under sections 7 and 101 of the Social Security Act 2018 (the Act) and regulations 90 and 211 of the Social Security Regulations 2018 and comes into force on 26 November 2018, amends the Ministerial directions and welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 1964 (and saved by Schedule 1 of the Act) that are listed in the Schedule of this instrument in the manner set out in that Schedule. The amendments update references to provisions of the Social Security Act 1964 to equivalent provisions of the Act or the Social Security Regulations 2018 and for changes of language in the Act. It also revokes a spent direction and welfare programme.

Community Costs Amendment 2006

Gazette notice:
Number 7393, dated 26 October 2006

Effective date: 27 October 2006

This amendment, which comes into effect on the day after it is published in the New Zealand Gazette, extends (effective from 1 April 2006) the Community Costs Programme to include short-term treatment programmes for medical or psychological disorders and also clarifies the definition of short-term residential treatment programme.