Social welfare and families
6 portfolios: Abuse in Care, Child Poverty Reduction, Children, Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Social Development and Employment, and Social Investment. 5 office holders in government, and spokespeople for 3 parties.
Abuse in Care
Government
- Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based InstitutionsErica Stanford (National), Cabinet
Spokespeople
- LabourNone recorded
- GreenKahurangi CarterSpokesperson for Royal Commission into Abuse in Faith and State Based Care
- Te Pāti MāoriNone recorded
Sources: Green Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; DPMC Ministerial List (official), 13 August 2026.
Child Poverty Reduction
Government
- Minister for Child Poverty ReductionLouise Upston (National), Cabinet
Spokespeople
- LabourJan TinettiSpokesperson for Child Poverty Reduction
- GreenMarama DavidsonSpokesperson for Child Poverty Reduction
- Te Pāti MāoriNone recorded
Sources: Green Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; Labour Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; DPMC Ministerial List (official), 13 August 2026.
Children
Government
- Minister for ChildrenKaren Chhour (ACT), Outside Cabinet
Spokespeople
- LabourWillow-Jean PrimeSpokesperson for Children
- GreenKahurangi CarterSpokesperson for Children
- Te Pāti MāoriNone recorded
Sources: Green Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; Labour Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; DPMC Ministerial List (official), 13 August 2026.
Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence
Government
- Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual ViolenceKaren Chhour (ACT), Outside Cabinet
Spokespeople
- LabourHelen WhiteSpokesperson for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence
- GreenMarama DavidsonSpokesperson for Prevention of Family Violence and Sexual Violence
- Te Pāti MāoriNone recorded
Sources: Green Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; Labour Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; DPMC Ministerial List (official), 13 August 2026.
Social Development and Employment
Government
- Minister for Social Development and EmploymentLouise Upston (National), Cabinet
- Associate Minister for Social Development and EmploymentPenny Simmonds (National), Cabinet
All 3 delegated responsibilities
- All matters relating to the Training Incentive Allowance
- All matters relating to the Youth Service
- Responsibility for the New Zealand Carers’ Strategy and associated action plans, including relationships with the New Zealand Carers’ Alliance and other key stakeholders
Spokespeople
- LabourWillow-Jean PrimeSpokesperson for Social Development & Employment
- GreenRicardo Menéndez MarchSpokesperson for Social Development and Employment
- Te Pāti MāoriNone recorded
Sources: Green Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; Labour Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; DPMC Ministerial List (official), 13 August 2026.
Social Investment
Government
- Minister for Social InvestmentNicola Willis (National), Cabinet
Spokespeople
- LabourJan TinettiSpokesperson for Social Investment
- GreenMike DavidsonSpokesperson for Social Investment
- Te Pāti MāoriNone recorded
Sources: Green Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; Labour Party team page (party), 16 September 2026; DPMC Ministerial List (official), 13 August 2026.