1. Question No. 1—Social Development and EmploymentTERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Social Development and Employment1. TERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What additional support will be available for New Zealanders and their families from 1 April? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Good news: I'm pleased to advise the House that from 1 April 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive increased financial assistance. This includes those receiving a main benefit. This Government has made the largest increases in main benefits since the 1940s including in Budget 2021 when we took the step of reversing the 1991 cuts to benefits. On 1 April we will lift them again by the rate of inflation. This will mean a couple with children on jobseeker support will receive an extra $40.86 per week and a sole parent will receive $31.83 through their main benefit. On average since 2017 couples receiving a main benefit and raising children are better off by $256 per week under this Government while a sole parent is $180 per week better off. I'm proud of the work we've done but as we've always said there's more to do and we are laser-focused on delivering for all New Zealanders and getting the job done.Terisa Ngobi: What will be available for older New Zealanders?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: It's not just main benefits that are rising; superannuation will be lifted by the rate of inflation as well ensuring our older New Zealanders are not left behind. If you are a couple on superannuation you will receive an extra $102.84 per fortnight. If you are single living alone and receiving superannuation you'll receive $66.86 more per fortnight. These lifts to the incomes of our seniors will go a long way to combatting the global cost of living pressures.Terisa Ngobi: What will working New Zealanders receive from 1 April?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Yet more good news: the 59500 workers earning minimum wage will all receive a wage rise from $21.20 per hour to $22.70 per hour. But that's not all: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment research shows 222900 workers will receive a pay rise as a direct result of the shift in minimum wage. This is especially important for Māori and young people—19 percent of people earning the minimum wage are Māori while 61 percent are workers aged 16 to 24 years old. Alongside this Working for Families will rise meaning many working families will receive more each week and the Government's pay equity agreement with community nurses will also come into force meaning 8000 community nurses will receive more from 1 April. Terisa Ngobi: Will there be any more help available for main beneficiaries and superannuants? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Yes there will be. I'm pleased to remind the House that the winter energy payment will come into force on 1 May. When we first came into Government we recognised that older people and beneficiaries can sometimes have issues with the increased power costs during winter. This is why we introduced the payment. Also yesterday in the House we read the Child Support (Pass On) Acts Amendment Bill for the first time. We are on track to have this implemented by 1 July and it will put more money in the pockets of over 41000 sole parents. This is a Government which is delivering on our promise to lift incomes reduce poverty and tackle the cost of living crisis.Chris Bishop: Can she confirm that further interest deductibility changes also come into effect on 1 April thus raising costs for landlords and putting more pressure on tenants who are the collateral damage in this Government's war on landlords?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I certainly can't confirm that mostly because I don't have responsibility for that as the Minister for social development.