Social obligations mean better outcomes for children

National is introducing new requirements to ensure children who live in benefit-dependant households get the vital education and health services they need – the services that can make a real difference for each child’s future.

We’ll require children to be enrolled in at least 15 hours of early child education and attend school. They will also need to be enrolled with a general practitioner and complete core health checks.

We expect beneficiaries to take “reasonable steps” to meet requirements. Parents will have three opportunities to meet these obligations before a financial sanction of 50 per cent will apply. We believe these obligations are reasonable and achievable and reflect the expectations most New Zealanders have of parents.

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