Millions in payments go astray

Nearly $14 million of taxpayers’ money was deposited into ineligible people’s accounts through cost of living payments, including 85 dead people. About 108,000 payments — worth $12.6m — have also potentially gone to people abroad, despite the money being only for people in NZ. The temporary payment of $350, paid out in three instalments of about $116 over three months, was the centrepiece of Labour’s 2022 Budget, aimed at showing it was addressing the cost of living pressure. It was to go to all those on incomes of less than $70,000, but the Government was left red-faced after the first payment went to people living overseas . Documents released yesterday show nearly 4.2 million payments have gone out over three instalments, worth $488m. This includes nearly 4.1 million payments to eligible people, worth $475m.