A recognition that government funding of welfare is no longer sound and that government will continue to make promises to New Zealanders that it cannot keep
That we need to fix welfare “once and for all”. A permanent solution, not more short-term fixes
Solving the growing tensions between the generations as spending on the elderly is set to explode
Tax reform that encourages savings and self-provision

Investigate the implementation of a Universal Basic Income for every New Zealander
Repeal the much amended, complex and cumbersome Social Security Act 1964, and replacing it with a new and clearly written Social Security Act
Make the first $5000 of everyone's income tax-free as part of ecological tax reform, reducing problems with abatement rates
Maintain universal New Zealand Superannuation for all New Zealanders 65 years and older
Introduce a Universal Child Benefit of $15 per week for the first child and $10 per week for every subsequent child

Labour will continue to shift the social security system towards a focus on individual circumstances rather than benefit category
Labour will, within five years, lift the weekly earnings threshold so that beneficiaries can earn the equivalent of ten hours on the minimum wage before their benefit income starts to reduce
Labour will change the treatment of ACC payments for those receiving benefits so that they are treated as income, rather than directly deducted from the benefit

National is committed to a welfare system that:
Is a genuine safety net in times of need
Provides temporary support to people as they return to independence
Provides indefinite, compassionate support to people who are physically or mentally unable to support themselves

Develop a comprehensive package of parent support and guidance programmes
Ensure greater scrutiny of the benefit system for those moving from the unemployment system onto the sickness benefit
Resurrect the policy of a community wage, paid to those who are unable to reasonably find paid employment but who will be expected to make a contribution back to the community which is paying them
Ensure the needs of retired New Zealanders are met through a sustainable superannuation scheme
Incrementally raise the base minimum level of New Zealand Superannuation to 72.5% of the net average wage

Introduce legislation that requires the government to set, monitor and evaluate its social policy goals annually, and report to Parliament to ensure that spending is effectively targeted
Support the work of the Mayoral Taskforce that encourages all under 25 who are not at school to either be 'earning or learning'
Change the formulation of NZ Super, by calculating it based upon the anticipated forecasted changes to the consumer price index and increases in the average wage for the following 12 months
Establish regional employment initiatives that arrive at local solutions to the specific causes of unemployment in communities