The Finance Minister says refusing unemployment benefits to teenagers is about helping parents. 

This Budget makes 18 and 19-year-olds ineligible for JobSeeker, if their parents can support them. 

Nicola Willis says the Government has the same expectations as most parents. 

"I have met parents who say - look, I've got a 19-year-old who spends all day on the couch playing PlayStation and it's pretty difficult because you, the Government, send them a check each fortnight."

LISTEN ABOVE

The Finance Minister says refusing unemployment benefits to teenagers is about helping parents.&nbsp;
This Budget makes 18 and 19-year-olds ineligible for JobSeeker, if their parents can support them.&nbsp;
Nicola Willis says the Government has the same expectations as most parents.&nbsp;
"I have met parents who say - look, I've got a 19-year-old who spends all day on the couch playing PlayStation and it's pretty difficult because you, the Government, send them a check each fortnight."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister unpacks cost-cutting measures as part of Budget 2025

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/47548d00-a775-4a52-82d4-b2e50061958d/transcript