The Government's $790 million package to lift kids out of poverty will in part mean a $25-a-week boost to families on benefits.
But what will $25 a week mean to their lives? SunLive took 'Michelle”, a solo mother of five, to the supermarket because that's where she would spend it.
Michelle managed to eke out her $25 to buy an extra three meals – perhaps as many as five if you include leftovers. It included a couple of treats.
She showed SunLive journalist Hunter Wells how she did it.
11 comments
Good on you
Posted on 23-05-2015 12:26 | By nerak
for showing you have your head screwed on. My concern is, this magic $25 is 11 months away, and we need to factor in price rises in that time, so maybe that $25 will only be worth $16 next April. Thank you Mr English? 1 kg milk power makes around 10 liters made up, works out considerably cheaper.
My sad guess
Posted on 23-05-2015 12:51 | By Annalist
For a start it isn't Bill English's $25, it's the taxpayers $25. Secondly while there are responsible beneficiaries there are also irresponsible ones. My guess is that a fair proportion of the $25 will end up on booze, cigarettes, and maybe even fast food with the irresponsible ones.
greed
Posted on 23-05-2015 15:54 | By rosscoo
Remember it is an additional $25 above what beneficiaries already get. If benefit means tested and only families who are really struggling to receive. If parents buying cigarettes and or alcohol with a benefit money then they do not deserve as that is not putting your kids first.
not entitled
Posted on 23-05-2015 23:40 | By BonnieWade
I heard it was going to b half in working for families n half in minimum family tax credits which I'm not entitled to cos my job isn't a real job to them
Bet'cha
Posted on 24-05-2015 13:10 | By Ross01
that a huge amount of that $25. will end up in pokie machines.If Govt closed the damn things down, I wonder if the tax they get from them would equate to somewhere near what they are paying out for hungry kids.
Judgmental
Posted on 24-05-2015 17:37 | By ronillian
It's a shame so many people are so judgemental about those less fortunate than themselves. It's very easy not to feel compassion for strugglers by saying they'd only misspend extra money. Research shows that the vast majority of those in poverty, if given extra money, would do the best for their families and NOT spend it on gambling, booze, smokes. It suits you to believe they should not be given any extra. Bill English has done very little to lift New Zealand's most vulnerable out of poverty. There's plenty $$ to give for tax breaks to well-off New Zealanders but "can't afford it" when it comes to giving those in poverty more. So what's happened to the prosperity in this "rock star economy"? Where is it going? When and how did we become such an unfair, judgemental society?
.
Posted on 25-05-2015 12:11 | By maccachic
People seem to forget we need those well off taxpayers to pay for things like this, forcing them offshore isn't winning anything.
extra $25.00 payment
Posted on 25-05-2015 21:07 | By phoenix
If beneficiaries think this payment is an insult.send it back to winz.
who is judgemental
Posted on 26-05-2015 00:32 | By Ross01
Ronillian,I am in no position to be judgemental.I am elderly and live in rented property.My sole income is from the pension and once a fortnight I can afford to pop up to my local for a couple of beers where I see people trying to increase what little they have by investing in pokie addiction.If they couldn't do that how much extra would they have to spend on their food budget, Ban the pokies from local pubs and these people would probably have more time to spend with their kids and prepare decent meals,and hopefully topup payouts could be cancelled and the money used to replace the tax gathered from pokies OR HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN IN ONE OF THESE PLAC3ES IN YOUR DO GOODING LIFE?
$25?
Posted on 09-06-2015 15:23 | By sharon69nz
if you are in a housing nz house 25% of that $25 goes towards your rent but still thankful for any extra i will get
Are you all deaf?
Posted on 13-06-2015 07:17 | By Horch
this $25 extra is not solely for beneficiaries !!!! It goes to those who are working with low income as well, stop the beneficiary bashing and get some perspective! Pokies machines, pubs, tobacco and anything else you care to lump in this circle are 'addictions', addictions are real people, and they affect every walk of life.
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