A key contributor to family wellbeing and whānau ora is the ability to make wise and informed choices about working, earning, spending, caring for their children, and having family time.
Compromised family economic circumstances have an impact beyond just the money, affecting health, employment, quality of life, relationships and outcomes for children.
Our research explores these issues and recommends ways in which the current situation could be improved – through new ways of working, improved support for childcare, paid parental leave and financial and other supports to prevent and reduce problem debt.
National Drug Policy
Submission to the Ministry of Health
In this submission, the Families Commission provides evidence from three of its research studies which show that there needs to be more support for families living with addiction.
SUBMISSIONS
Fri 28 Feb, 2014
Download Submission on the National Drug Policy (265.85 KB)
Pacific families and problem debt
This research looks at how Pacific families manage their finances. The information can be used by government and providers as they design future initiatives with Pacific families.
RESEARCH REPORTS
Sat 24 Nov, 2012
Download Pacific families and problem debt (1.3 MB)
Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill
Submission to the Social Services Select Committee
In this submission, the Families Commission supports the intention of the Bill to improve the lives of beneficiaries, and calls for a number of changes to the Social Security Act to do this more effectively.
SUBMISSIONS
Thu 1 Nov, 2012
Download Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill (456.5 KB)
Snapshot 17-12: Financial Hardship
Problem Debt
Problem debt is one symptom of financial hardship and is a significant barrier to families enjoying a meaningful, rewarding life. Families need to take action early before their debt spirals o
SNAPSHOTS
Mon 8 Oct, 2012
Download Snapshot 17-12: Financial Hardship (217.83 KB)
Parental Leave And Employment Protection (Six Months Paid Leave) Amendment Bill
Submission to the Government Administration Select Committee
In this submission, the Families Commission argues that the Government should:
SUBMISSIONS
Fri 5 Oct, 2012
Download Paid Parental Leave Submission 2012 (489.69 KB)
Submission on the Child Support Amendment Bill
Submission to the Social Services Select Committee
The Child Support Amendment Bill amends the formula for the financial support of children whose parents have separated so that it is based on the combined income of both parents, the age of the children and a more equitable shared care threshold.
SUBMISSIONS
Sat 30 Jun, 2012
Download Submission on the Child Support Amendment Bill (317.62 KB)
Submission on the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Draft Amendment Bill
This submission supports most of the provisions of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Draft Amendment Bill, but asks that it go further in its protections of vulnerable families.
SUBMISSIONS
Fri 25 May, 2012
Download Submission on Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Draft Amendment Bill (223.59 KB)
Te Pūmautanga o te Whānau
Tūhoe and South Auckland whānau
In order to better understand whānau resilience and strength in the face of financial hardship and adversity, the Families Commission carried out five case studies with 40 families and whānau in ve
RESEARCH REPORTS
Fri 17 Feb, 2012
Download Te Pūmautanga o Te Whānau: Tūhoe and South Auckland – Research Report (25.66 MB)
One Step at a Time
Supporting families and whānau in financial hardship
This Families Commission research aims to better understand ways to support families and whānau in financial hardship, and to identify practical strategies for working with these families and whāna
RESEARCH REPORTS
Thu 16 Feb, 2012
Download One step at a time (9.62 MB)
Work Experiences of Asian Immigrants
Impact on family wellbeing
This research study explores the work experiences of immigrants of Asian origin living in the greater Auckland region, New Zealand.
RESEARCH REPORTS
Mon 19 Dec, 2011
Download Work experiences of Asian immigrants (433.89 KB)