Balance New Zealand believes that a fair and effective welfare system must provide support to those who need it while helping people move toward independence wherever possible. Welfare should act as both a safety net and a pathway forward.
Our goal is a system that protects vulnerable New Zealanders, supports families, and encourages participation in work and community life. At the same time, it must be financially responsible and sustainable for future generations.
This policy outlines a balanced approach that protects those who cannot work while creating stronger opportunities for those who can.
Balance New Zealand will establish a National Employment Participation Programme (NEPP) designed to help people move from welfare into paid work.
Many people receiving unemployment support want to work but struggle to find opportunities, gain experience, or rebuild confidence after long periods out of the workforce. The programme will address this by creating practical employment pathways through government-supported work projects.
These projects may include:
Participants in the programme will receive fair wages for the work they perform and will gain practical experience, training, and references that help them transition into long-term employment.
The programme is intended to provide real work opportunities rather than passive support alone.
Individuals participating in the employment programme will receive wages instead of standard unemployment benefits during their placement.
Between placements or contracts, a transitional unemployment payment will be available at a reduced level to recognise recent government-funded employment while still maintaining support.
Those who consistently participate and demonstrate reliability will receive priority consideration for future placements and employment opportunities with both government contractors and private employers.
The aim is to encourage continued engagement while maintaining a safety net.
Balance New Zealand recognises that long-term employment must ultimately come from the private sector.
To support this transition, the government will work with businesses to create clear pathways from the National Employment Participation Programme into permanent jobs.
Measures may include:
These initiatives will help ensure that government-supported work leads to sustainable employment opportunities.
Balance New Zealand is committed to protecting those who are unable to work due to genuine disability or serious illness.
A strengthened Disability Support Benefit (DSB) will be maintained to ensure individuals with physical disabilities receive the support they need to live with dignity and stability.
Eligibility will require medical certification confirming that a person’s condition significantly limits their ability to work.
The support level will be designed to cover essential living costs and will be adjusted annually in line with inflation and changes in the cost of living.
Recipients who are medically assessed as unable to work will not be required to participate in employment programmes. However, individuals who have partial capacity and wish to work will be able to do so voluntarily without risking their primary support.
Balance New Zealand recognises that serious mental health challenges can significantly affect a person’s ability to maintain employment.
To address this, a Mental Health Recovery Benefit will be established to provide financial support while individuals receive treatment and work toward recovery.
During the first twelve months of support, individuals will be required to participate in regular counselling or therapy sessions. These services will be subsidised to ensure that people receive appropriate treatment and support.
If support is required beyond twelve months, eligibility will be reviewed through a formal psychological or psychiatric assessment. This ensures that long-term assistance is provided where necessary while maintaining clinical oversight.
As individuals recover, they will be offered gradual and supported pathways back into employment to help rebuild independence without sudden loss of financial stability.
Strong families are essential to a strong society. Balance New Zealand supports policies that allow parents to spend meaningful time with their children during early development.
Balance New Zealand will extend paid parental leave eligibility for fathers/partners by an additional two weeks beyond the current entitlement.
All existing parental leave protections will remain in place, and shared parenting responsibilities will be encouraged wherever possible.
Balance New Zealand will maintain the Working for Families programme to ensure that low- and middle-income households continue to receive support while raising children.
The programme plays an important role in ensuring that work remains financially worthwhile and that children have access to stable living conditions.
Regular reviews will ensure that the programme remains fair, effective, and financially sustainable.
A fair welfare system must maintain public confidence. Balance New Zealand will strengthen oversight and administration of welfare programmes to ensure support reaches those who genuinely need it while reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.
This will include:
The focus will be on fairness and opportunity rather than punishment.
Long-term reductions in welfare dependence require better access to education and skills development.
Balance New Zealand will expand opportunities for beneficiaries to receive vocational training, trade qualifications, and retraining programmes.
These initiatives will be integrated with employment participation programmes wherever possible, ensuring that individuals gain both practical experience and recognised qualifications.
This will be particularly important for workers displaced by economic changes or technological developments.
Balance New Zealand’s approach to welfare aims to deliver practical outcomes for both individuals and the country as a whole.
This policy is designed to:
Balance New Zealand believes that a welfare system must combine compassion with responsibility.
New Zealanders should be confident that support will be there when needed. At the same time, the system should encourage participation, opportunity, and independence wherever possible.
By maintaining this balance, New Zealand can build a stronger and more unified society where everyone can contribute and succeed.
