Greens warn ACT welfare plan could hit Pacific families hardest

Pacific families could be among those most affected by ACT’s proposed welfare changes, the Green Party says, as ACT sets out tougher benefit rules ahead of the 2026 election.

ACT leader David Seymour announced two key changes at the party’s campaign launch on 28 June, saying the welfare system needs to be tightened to ensure fairness for taxpayers.

Under the proposal, medical assessments for health and disability-related benefits would no longer rely on a person’s own doctor.

Instead, they would be carried out by doctors approved by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

The party also wants Jobseeker recipients who are considered work-ready moved onto electronic payment cards after four months. The cards would block spending on alcohol, gambling, tobacco and cash withdrawals.

Seymour says the changes are about ensuring support goes where it is needed most.

ACT's proposed welfare changes would affect families receiving Jobseeker and health-related benefits. Photo/Ministry of Social Development.

“Welfare should unlock potential, not trap it,” he said. “The public deserves confidence that the system is not being gamed.”

ACT says the number of people on Jobseeker benefits has risen 73 per cent in the past decade, and that those on a health or disability-related Jobseeker benefit have nearly doubled to 96,852.

The party says most of the growth is linked to psychological conditions.

ACT's welfare policy would put health and disability claimants before MSD-approved doctors and move Jobseekers onto payment cards. Photo/ACT party.

But Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono rejected the argument, saying the policy would unfairly target vulnerable people including Pacific communities.

“It’s just a typical ACT Party kick beneficiaries, kick the poor and vulnerable and hope that their free market god is going to save everyone,” he told William Terite on Pacific Mornings.

Tuiono said Pacific families would be especially affected, including older people who rely on support.

“I worry about many of our Pacific families, particularly some of our elders who... might need that support,” he said. “And we know that we’re very family orientated. So I think this will punish people as well.”

He said the proposed medical checks would create extra pressure for people already struggling.

“People can get a bit shy having to go to the doctor over and over again to prove things,” he said. “That’s another barrier in place. No one’s asking for this except for the Act party and their rich mates.”

Listen to Teanau Tuiono's interview below.

Tuiono also questioned the push for tighter controls while the party argues for less bureaucracy.

He said it amounted to “another example of them creating yellow tape to make it difficult for people to get the benefits and the support that they need”.

The wider debate comes as the Government considers changes that would allow MSD to act quickly on income information shared by Inland Revenue.

The change would remove the current 10-day period given to clients to dispute changes before benefits are adjusted.

Officials say the change would reduce benefit overpayments.

Tuiono has raised concerns about privacy and the use of data-sharing systems.

Watch a David Seymour clip from the ACT party welfare policy announcement.

“I’m just kind of worried about when we start sharing data because there’s also privacy concerns as well,” he said, adding that the use of artificial intelligence in such systems also raises questions.

Seymour said reassessments would begin with people receiving mental health-related support granted after the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said those with a “genuine, enduring disability” would continue to receive long-term support.

ACT, which is part of the National-led coalition government, says it will campaign on the welfare changes and push for them in future coalition talks.

New Zealanders will go to the polls on 7 November.