In June 2006 the number dependent was 37,300. Fast forward to June 2026 and it's 89,385.
Click to view
89,385 is a very big number. It does not include people with an intellectual disability, those we might traditionally regard in genuine lifelong need of community support.
Ironically, paying people to be inactive and isolated is probably the worst approach to improving their mental state.
Part of the reason for the disproportionate growth in numbers is that people are becoming reliant younger and staying reliant longer.
2024 data showed that under 25-year-olds who go on Jobseeker with a Health Condition or Disability (JS-HCD) will spend a further 23.3 years reliant - in 2023 the expectancy was 20.6 years. The year-to-year 13.1 percent increase in future years is larger than for any other benefit.
NZ isn't alone with this problem.
UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said last year:
"We should be aiming for everybody to support themselves as far as they are able, while providing support for those who cannot.
But to do this, we will have to win arguments. Arguments that too many in politics have forgotten how to make. Like a life of work being better than one dependent on the state.
Not just better for society, although we believe that too, but better for the soul. That it feels better to contribute and enjoy the freedom that comes with paying your own way.
Too many young people are growing up not knowing that. They think that a life on benefits is an alternative to working. They think isolating themselves at home is okay because starting a job feels daunting."
As a parent of two in the generation she speaks about, I have seen mental distress. Luckily mine are amongst those who have pushed themselves to work and be independent. At times. the jobs haven't been what they want but they've reckoned any work is better than no work, recognising that a lack of purpose, listlessness and loneliness lead to anxiety and depression.
In November, National will be restricting access to the Jobseeker benefit (including JS-HDA) for 18-19 year-olds. (ACT is also campaigning on tightening up the medical certification process.)
This causes outrage from the left.
The Greens constantly oppose efforts to stop young people getting into the dependency trap. Green spokesman Ricardo Menendez-March says the policy is cruel:
“The National Party has a long history of dehumanising people who struggle to get by on a day to day basis."
I am diametrically opposed, believing both the Green's Income Guarantee or TOP's Citizen's Income from age 18 would seriously damage young people's motivation. If both parties are in government together the likelihood of a universal income being implemented increases.
If someone under twenty cannot find a job, they should be training for one. The late teens is a crucial time. The last thing they need is to be derailed with 'free' money to stay in bed.
But to do this, we will have to win arguments. Arguments that too many in politics have forgotten how to make. Like a life of work being better than one dependent on the state.
Not just better for society, although we believe that too, but better for the soul. That it feels better to contribute and enjoy the freedom that comes with paying your own way.
Too many young people are growing up not knowing that. They think that a life on benefits is an alternative to working. They think isolating themselves at home is okay because starting a job feels daunting."
As a parent of two in the generation she speaks about, I have seen mental distress. Luckily mine are amongst those who have pushed themselves to work and be independent. At times. the jobs haven't been what they want but they've reckoned any work is better than no work, recognising that a lack of purpose, listlessness and loneliness lead to anxiety and depression.
In November, National will be restricting access to the Jobseeker benefit (including JS-HDA) for 18-19 year-olds. (ACT is also campaigning on tightening up the medical certification process.)
This causes outrage from the left.
The Greens constantly oppose efforts to stop young people getting into the dependency trap. Green spokesman Ricardo Menendez-March says the policy is cruel:
“The National Party has a long history of dehumanising people who struggle to get by on a day to day basis."
I am diametrically opposed, believing both the Green's Income Guarantee or TOP's Citizen's Income from age 18 would seriously damage young people's motivation. If both parties are in government together the likelihood of a universal income being implemented increases.
If someone under twenty cannot find a job, they should be training for one. The late teens is a crucial time. The last thing they need is to be derailed with 'free' money to stay in bed.
Lindsay Mitchell is a welfare commentator. This article was sourced HERE
9 comments:
Never a truer word spoken.
These people are pathetic. Their intellectual disabilities are self-inflicted.
Spot on. Idle minds and hands make for anxiety and depression. And young people need to be strongly encouraged to "learn" if they can't [yet] "earn".
Second-chance education is an important piece in this jigsaw puzzle. School drop-outs need to be encouraged to undertake high school-level and/or vocationally-oriented studies. These should be provided after working hours in schools and techs.
I taught night classes (UE level) for adults back in the 70s and recall many a success story in the form of better jobs, promotion at work, or entry to varsity.
Just another rort the benefit classes have discovered. “How did you get on the benefit Charlie?” Told them I was anxious and depressed didn’t I” “ Wow that sounds like a good idea I’ll give it a go”
And so the contagion spreads.
I have posted on this so many times.
The benefit is a cup of poison, disguised and promoted as a perfect way of life by the far left parties , but a perfect way of life that insidiously strips away ones personal dignity and self respect leaving a person a shell of a human being. A being that lives on their knees with their hands out, begging, day to day.
This is the difference between the left and right. The left want and need these parasites dependant on the state, the right see a better life for them.
All people hear and see is 'free'. Get this through your stupid heads folks, its not 'free' you are trading your life for $300 a week. You are being robbed of you dignity and being poisoned by the evil that has encaptured you. You fools. But your choice.
The left are the sick ones trying to destroy humans life's with welfare.
I've never seen a happy person on the dole, and their entitled behavior, promoted by the left have them screaming for more.
Working and contributing to society for the benefit would be the best thing for these people. But the left don't want that.
A problem is in this mechanised world, with simple manufacturing roles outsourced, there is not sufficent low ability jobs to occupy the low ability population, who are encourgaed with benefits to multply disproportionately. There are only so many footpath replacement, cone shepherd time filler works to occupy all.
A big part of traditional education was learning to see work as beneficial in building character but please contributors remember that our progressive iniquitous education system believes school should be fun , even entertaining .
Children can wander in and out of the class and nobody is to force them to do anything because that is oppressive to their self-esteem.
Calvinism and Classical education always prioritized work habits and ethics. That was wisdom . Now we have slop. It isn't just the content and methods in education but also the discipline and work habits This absolutely needs addressing as well .
Your column has increased my anxiety. I better see my GP.
Seems like the latest epidemic, at least throughout the Western societies, is anxiety. There will be a host of reasons for that, generally well covered. The real challenge is what do we do about it? Imagine one of the political parties having the nerve to raise it prior to voting day…if one did, I’d pay them some attention.
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.