25 March 2025
Tēnā koe M.R.M
Official Information Act request
Thank you for your email of 25 February 2025, requesting information on the
Winter Energy Payments (WEP).
I have considered your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
1. Copies of official documents that show the rate of payment for a married
couple for the past 10 years.
2. Copies of official documents that show how the abovementioned rate of
payment has been calculated over the past 10 years.
3. Copies of official documents that show annual increases by their percentage
points.
4. Copies of official documents that show how the abovementioned increased
rate of payment has been calculated for the past 10 years.
All historical rates of WEP is publicly available on the Ministry’s Work and Income
website at the following link:
www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/deskfile/extra-
help-information/winter-energy-payment-tables/index.html. Please note that the Ministry did not calculate the applicable rate of WEP, beyond
determining the weekly amount to reflect the annual sum proposed in the then-
Government’s Families Package.
The report containing advice on how to pay the sum weekly has been proactively
released
and
can
be
found
at
the
following
link:
www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2018-04/fp-3903009.pdf. The rate of WEP has remained the same since it was introduced in 2018, except
between 1 May 2020 and 1 May 2021, where it was temporarily doubled as part
of the COVID-19 response. As such, your request for annual increases and
calculation of the increases is refused under section 18(e) of the Act as this
information does not exist.
The relevant Cabinet Paper and Cabinet Minute relating to the temporary doubling
of WEP has been proactively released and can be found at the following links:
•
www.covid19.govt.nz/assets/Proactive-Releases/proactive-release/COVID-
19-Overview-of-the-Governments-Response-Economic-Package-Minute.pdf
The Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, PO Box 1556, Wellington
– Telephone 04-916 3300 – Facsimile 04-918 0099
•
www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/covid-19/unite-
against-covid/covid-19-recovery-package-increases-to-main-benefits-and-
the-winter-energy-payment-paper.pdf
Please note some information contained in the Cabinet Minute has been withheld.
I have not assessed this information because it does not fall in scope of your
request, as it does not relate to WEP. However, please contact the Ministry if you
would like this information.
Official reports relating to the introduction of WEP can be found at the following
links:
•
www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2018-04/fp-3803996.pdf
•
www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2018-04/fp-3800246.pdf
•
www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2018-04/fp-3903011.pdf
•
www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2018-04/fp-3810514.pdf
•
www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2018-04/fp-3903012.pdf •
https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2018-01/ria-tsy-fp-
dec17.pdf
I will be publishing this decision letter, with your personal details deleted, on the
Ministry’s website in due course.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email]. If you are not satisfied with my decision on your request, you have the right to
seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to
make a complaint is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp.
Anna Graham
General Manager
Ministerial and Executive Services
