Tinetti pleased with WINZ changes

Labour List MP Jan Tinetti.

Tauranga Labour List MP Jan Tinetti is pleased with the changes the government is rolling out in Ministry of Social Development and WINZ offices across NZ, and is looking forward to seeing their implementation here in Tauranga.

'Recently in my regular SunLive column I wrote that I had many people contacting my office saying they were too scared to access the help they needed from some government agencies and that when they did pluck up the courage to ask for help they were not receiving the correct information about what they were entitled to.

'The Minister of Social Development Carmel Sepuloni announced recently the appointment of The Welfare Expert Advisory Group which has been asked to undertake a broad ranging review of the welfare system but she also said that there were some changes that could be implemented immediately. The Minister launched some of those changes in New Plymouth this week.”

Security guards posted at MSD offices will now welcome people and ensure people feel safe coming in for support and they will no longer wear security uniforms.

All MSD offices will now display the client commitment form which will be in English, Maori and sign language, says Jan.

A new eligibility guide has been launched and is now available online nationwide so people can check for themselves what they are entitled to.

Where possible accessible toilets are being made available with baby changing tables for mothers and their babies and new office layouts which provide more private spaces and children's play areas will be piloted initially at four new sites.

'Minister Sepuloni has acknowledged that there is still so much more to do but she felt that we are on track towards a fairer and more accessible welfare system and that a positive environment will equal positive outcomes for people,” says Jan.

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2 comments

Cuddly

Posted on 28-06-2018 13:02 | By Craven Moorehead

If it looks like a security guard and acts like a security guard, it is a security guard. Calling the uniform something else and getting them to say hello, which they probably already do, is not even the backend of a new policy. If the security guard and what they wear is at the forefront of their mind then the ministry has zero clue on what to do.


Do you think...

Posted on 28-06-2018 19:13 | By groutby

...it is timely to remember just WHY the security is there (WINZ Offices) in the first place?...not that long ago is it?


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