Notice Title

Notice Under the Social Security Act 2018

Publication Date
19 Jun 2026

Tags

Social Security Act Instruments Social Development

Notice Number

2026-sl3396
Title
View PDF
File Type and Size
PDF (22 KB)

Notice is given of the making of the following instrument by the Minister for Social Development and Employment.

Authority for Instrument

Title or Subject Matter

Date of Enactment

Social Security Act 2018, section 7

Instrument amending Ministerial Directions (Modernisation – Automated Decision-Making) 2026

14 June 2026


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 amends two Ministerial Directions (the Ministerial Direction – Disability Allowance and the Ministerial Direction in relation to Special Benefit) under section 7 of the Social Security Act 2018 in response to the amendments made through the Social Security (Modernisation) Amendment Act 2026 (“Instrument”).

The Instrument, and the amendments to the Ministerial Direction – Disability Allowance, come into force on 1 July 2026. The amendments to the Direction in relation to Special Benefit in Schedule 1 of the Instrument come into force on 30 November 2026.

The Instrument amends the Ministerial Direction – Disability Allowance to align with prescribed circumstances where requirements for verification of costs can be extended as described in the Social Security Regulations 2018.

Where relevant, mandatory review powers have been added to existing powers of review in the Ministerial Direction – Disability Allowance and the Ministerial Direction in relation to Special Benefit.

These amendments ensure that these Ministerial Directions continue to operate as intended following the changes made by the Social Security (Modernisation) Amendment Act 2026.

The amendments also make minor editorial corrections to existing language in the Ministerial Directions.

The Instrument is secondary legislation and is administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

Dated this 18th day of June 2026.

Hon LOUISE UPSTON, Minister for Social Development and Employment.