From te Whare Paremata:

Acting Prime Minister, the Minister for Social Economic Development Carmel Sepuloni​ has announced a $6 million boost for food banks.

The announcement comes ahead of big ticket items introduced to ease cost of living pressure on whānau – fuel tax cuts and half-priced public fares – end on 01 July.

However, Acting Prime Minister Caramel Sepuloni says, the Government is implementing other measures to try and get household costs down.

Public transport for tāmariki aged under 13 will become free. While rangatahi and people aged under 25, will continue to travel half-price. The $5 prescription fee will also be scrapped from July 1.

“On top of that, we did extend special needs grants, so those on the lowest incomes through MSD can access them.” says Acting PM Carmel Sepuloni.

She says the Government recognises the hardship need is still very high which is why there are a range of initiatives to assist whānau.

“The reality is that when you come out of a something like a pandemic or any kind of economic crisis then what you have is not necessarily people returning to what was deemed normal. The hardship need is still high. We’ve seen it in the past and that’s what we’re seeing at the moment.” says Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni.

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