Have a blanket

Sorry about the terrible policies and legislation

This week National MP Catherine Wedd launched an annual blanket drive in partnership with the overtly Christian charity Christian Lovelink. Catherine is quoted as saying “We are encouraging people to bring in their spare blankets.” The PR campaign is all soft focus and positive.

Yet, since Catherine’s National-led coalition took office in 2023, her government has deliberately and intentionally exacerbated poverty and inequality for New Zealanders.

Below I summarise some of things her party has voted in favour of:

1. Reducing the increase in minimum wage

The minimum wage increase was not indexed to cost of living and instead was only increased marginally. Minimum wage was increased by only 1% - from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour on 1 April 2025. This is a rise of only 35 cents, which is less than the cost-of-living and does not keep pace with inflation. For contrast, the Living Wage is currently set at $28.95.

2. Foodbank funding slashed

Funding to foodbanks has been decimated under this National led government. Auckland-based foodbanks have struggled to meet growing demand with this reduced funding. Alongside this, Work and Income have rejected approximately 220 food grant applications each day. This is almost double the rejections of pleas for food grants since last year.

3. Cuts to Social Programmes

This National-led government has scaled down and/or eliminated over 240 public service programmes. Funding was discontinued for 190 social service providers, with an additional 142 providers experiencing reduced funding. The abrupt funding withdrawal jeopardized support for at-risk children and families.​Otago Daily Times Online News+4Mana Mokopuna+4RNZ+4RNZ+3Otago Daily Times Online News+3RNZ+3RNZ

The national Family Start programme, which offers early intervention support for families with young children, faced a $14 million funding cut, resulting in the loss of 107 full-time positions .​NZCCSS+21News+2Reddit+2

4. Disability related funding frozen

Although the government allocated $1.1 billion to Disability Services, the real time cuts to disability funding have caused a great deal of distress to disabled people and families. Alongside this, funding for residential facility-based care has been frozen and is limited to the most extreme cases, which has placed additional strain on families and caregivers. ​

5. Changes to Benefit Indexing

This government pushed through under urgency a change in indexation of main benefits from wage growth to inflation. This shift has resulted in smaller annual increases, disproportionately impacting on our most vulnerable citizens.

6. Public Sector Jobs Slashed

The government has a reduction in public service sector roles. By December 2024, approximately 9,250 public sector positions had been eliminated. Key agencies affected include:

• Health New Zealand: 2,042 roles cut

• Ministry of Social Development: 941 roles cut

• Ministry of Education: 755 roles cut

• Department of Internal Affairs: 672 roles cut

• Kāinga Ora (Housing Agency): 540 roles cut

• Oranga Tamariki (Child Welfare): 419 roles cut

• Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE): 402 roles cut

• Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI): 391 roles cut

• New Zealand Police (non-sworn staff): 373 roles cut

• Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC): 300 roles cut

• Archives New Zealand and National Library: 30 roles cut, including librarians and archivists ​

Alongside this, the government's cost-cutting measures have broader implications for the employment landscape:​

• Increased Unemployment: By June 2024, unemployment rose to 143,000 individuals, marking an increase of 33,000 compared to the previous year. This figure represents the highest unemployment level since March 2021.

• Tightened Job Market: The reduction of thousands of public sector roles has exacerbated the employment squeeze, with businesses also reducing activities in sectors such as retail, consumer products, and construction. ​

7. Emergency Housing Cuts

The Ministry of Social Development scrapped the first phase of its 'early interventions' work programme, which supports people struggling with stable housing. Scrapping this programme has contributed to homelessness that is increasingly visible on the streets and other public places.

8. Workers’ Rights Slashed

The National-led government has repealed Fair Pay Agreements, expanded 90-day trial periods, and weakened protections for workers.

9. Health Austerity

This government has gutted Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora, slashed critical jobs, jeopardized service delivery, and put patient safety on the line:

• Over 2,000 jobs eliminated.

• A third of all IT roles slashed.

• 338 People & Culture roles cut - these support workforce wellbeing and staffing.

10. Increased costs.

National’s policies have raised:

• Prescription fees - in July 2024, the government reinstated the $5 prescription co-payment, reversing the previous removal of this fee

• Public transport fares - councils have to charge more money for buses, ferries and trains so they can give more money back to the government, a result of reduced government subsidies and directives for councils to raise more revenue from fare-paying passengers. Bus and train fares may surge by up to 70% to meet NZTA targets.

• Rates - Homeowners are facing average rates rises of 15% according to data in draft long-term plans across 48 councils. This is due in part to:​

  • Infrastructure Demands: Aging infrastructure and the need for upgrades in water, transport, and community facilities require substantial investment.​

  • Inflation and Interest Rates: Rising costs for materials, services, and borrowing.​

  • Policy Changes: The repeal of Three Waters reform has shifted the responsibility for water infrastructure funding back to local councils, exacerbating financial pressures

• GP fees - government funding has not kept pace with rising operational costs. As a result, GP clinics may need to raise patient fees by up to 7.76% to cover funding shortfalls.

But, hey, it’s all good, the already wealthy folk who have benefitted from National’s tax cuts can give you a blanket.

a selection of blankets to make up for the slashing of your rights as workers, reduction in social services, and savaging of disability and respite care