Notice is given of the making of the following instrument by the Minister for Social Development and Employment.

A copy of the instrument is available for free at: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/about-msd/legislation/notice-of-change.html.

This instrument, which comes into force on 1 April 2022, as part of the Annual General Adjustment, amends the Ministerial directions and welfare programmes under the Social Security Act 2018. The amendments adjusts:

• standard costs in relation to the directions in relation to Special Benefit and the appropriate income thresholds in relation to the Advance Payments of Instalments of Benefit to reflect a 5.95% increase in the New Zealand Consumers Price Index from the December 2020 quarter to the December 2021 quarter (calculated using the CPI All Groups);
• certain rates and limits in relation to Family Start and Early Start (Childcare Assistance) Programme, New Employment Transition Grant Programme, Recoverable Assistance Programme, Seasonal Work Assistance Programme, Special Needs Grants Programme and Training Incentive Allowance Programme to reflect a 5.95% increase in the New Zealand Consumers Price Index from the December 2020 quarter to the December 2021 quarter (calculated using the CPI All Groups);
• the Home Help Programme, to adjust the hourly rate to reflect a 6% increase in the adult minimum wage; and
• the Special Transfer Allowance Programme 2000 to adjust average regional rents to reflect movements in rentals.

The instrument is secondary legislation for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2019 and is administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

Dated this 28th day of February 2022.

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI, Minister for Social Development and Employment.