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'We need culture change at the ministry' - PM

7:57 am today

Stopping a woman's benefit before a tip she was cheating the system had been properly investigated is "not okay", and a culture change at the ministry is needed, says the prime minister.

Yesterday the Ministry of Social Development was forced to deny it has a punitive culture of targeting beneficiaries unfairly after it stopped a solo mothers' benefit before investigating a tip off.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Morning Report today cutting a benefit before all the facts were in was "completely unreasonable".

She said the government had been working explicitly on the issue.

"It's not okay and the minister said that.

"We need culture change. I've had conversations with the minister about that. She's gearing up to do a comprehensive piece of work in this space."

She said the minister would have an announcement soon.

Watch a video of her Morning Report interview here:


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