‘Paupers in our own country’
After Kathleen Paraha pays her rent and bills, there’s not much money left over to buy food.
The 60-year-old, who lives in Papatoetoe, south Auckland, receives a supported living benefit that provides her with a weekly income of less than $150, she says.
‘‘There’s nothing left for luxuries. I can’t even buy a bar of chocolate. My kids buy me groceries sometimes and my daughter gives me a little bit of food and money.’’
Paraha was one of about 80 people who went along to share their views at a public consultation in Ma¯ ngere, south Auckland, hosted by the Government’s welfare expert advisory group.
The group was established this year to provide advice on possible changes to the system.
It is hosting public consultations around the country to hear the views of Kiwis who receive benefits.
Paraha says she suffers from a range of medical issues. She has been on the benefit since 2014 and is unable to work because of her illnesses.
Benefits should be lifted to at least $200 a week to be ‘‘liveable’’.
Also among the audience was fellow Papatoetoe resident Frederick Andrews, who receives the jobseeker support benefit and is an advocate for the group Auckland Action Against Poverty (AAAP).
Andrews says benefits don’t provide a high enough income and ‘‘it’s a struggle’’ to survive on one.
‘‘Get us above the poverty line by increasing the benefit,’’ he told Stuff. ‘‘We provide an advocacy service at the Manurewa Work and Income [branch], and 85 per cent of the people we help are Ma¯ ori. We’re paupers in our own country.’’
AAAP co-ordinator Ricardo Menendez March says the organisation helped beneficiaries get along to the public consultation to make sure their voices are being heard.
‘‘For too long we’ve heard benefit levels are far too low. They’re not keeping up with the cost of rent or the price of food.’’
The current welfare system is not built on support or compassion, Menendez March says.