What analysis, if any, has the Ministry undertaken at a regional level of the increase in sanctions in between the quarters ending March 2024 and March 2026; if any, what regions in particular?

Answer

The Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) has informed me they have not undertaken any regional analysis during this specific period. However, the Ministry’s evaluation of the Traffic Light System (TLS) examined changes in obligation failures rates and sanction rates before and after TLS implementation, at the service-centre level from September 2023 through to August 2025. While the analysis focused on obligation failures, sanction rates were closely correlated and followed similar patterns. The evaluation is available on MSD’s website: www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/evaluation/traffic-light-system/tls-evaluation-findings.html.