Clause 23

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is:

(a) to enable the provision of financial and other support as Appropriate

• (1) to help people to support themselves and their dependants while not in paid employment; and

• (2) to help people find and retain paid employment; and

• (3) to help people for whom work may not currently be appropriate because of sickness, injury, disability or caring responsibilities to support themselves and their dependants;

(b) to enable in certain circumstance the provision of financial support to help people to alleviate hardship;

(c) to ensure that the financial support referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) is provided to people taking into account:

• (1) that where appropriate they should use the resources available to them before seeking financial support under this Act; and

• (2) any financial support they are eligible for or already receive, otherwise than under this Act, from publicly funded sources.

(Source: New Zealand Government, 2006)