Second is the threat of complete loss of benefits. Rogers says this can be eased on a special-case basis. The New Zealand social welfare ministry said it is only studying Wisconsin and is not committed to any changes. New Zealand now gives low-income families a cash grant or voucher instead of building subsidized housing. ON education, it has devolved control to local school boards of trustees.
Colleges are less regulated.
Tuitions introduced in 1991 will rise gradually to 25 percent of costs but with government loans available. Health-care reforms have been in the direction of privatization, with purchasing now separate from the provision of services and many providers competing. Some user charges have been introduced and cause a lot of grumbling. Better-off people use private insurance to get faster optional care. The economic revolution begun in 1984 has been called harsh by some, but 24.5 percent of gross domestic product now is paid out for income support, education and health versus 21.5 percent spent in 1983-84.