Notice is given of the making of the following instrument by the Minister of Housing.

A copy of the instrument is available for free at: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/about-msd/legislation/notice-of-change.html.

This instrument, which comes into force on 2 March 2026, amends the Housing Support Programme, established and approved under section 101 of the Social Security Act 2018 on 6 February 2023.

The instrument amends the Housing Support Programme (“Programme”) by making a consequential amendment to the definition of ‘service costs’, to ensure that definition continues to retain the same meaning which will be defined in section 65AAA of the Social Security Act 2018 from 2 March 2025 when the Social Assistance Legislation (Accommodation Supplement and Income-related Rent) Amendment Act 2025 comes into force.

This instrument also amends the Programme to:

• allow for bond grants to be made during the course of a tenancy, where the applicant is required to make a further payment towards their bond, following an increase of rent; and
• enable a security cover grant to be made for costs that the Tenancy Tribunal has determined that the applicant is required to pay.

The instrument is secondary legislation for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2019 and is administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

Dated this 2nd day of December 2025.

Hon CHRIS BISHOP, Minister of Housing.