Ministry of Social Development

It drew the line at the $1026.25 she sought for kai, or food, for the tangihanga. MSD told her this did not meet its understanding of a “reasonable” funeral expense.

Just 77.6 percent of clients had their entitlement correctly assessed in the 2023/24 year, based on a representative sample.

Kaiora Tipene of Tipene Funeral Homes says the current process of applying to receive a funeral grant from WINZ is extra stress on already grieving whānau.

Māori in Northland stands by the woman dubbed 'the tooth fairy' despite her being fined for working without a dental technician qualification.