13:17 A 38 year old Blenheim man has been charged with threatening to kill after becoming anrgy during a visit from police this morning.

12:57 New Zealand has fared badly in the latest report from the UN's children agency on how inequality is affecting children.

11:56 Canterbury lakes, rivers and harbours will be off limits to anyone without a permit if a new bylaw gets the green light.

11:55 An Auckland court has heard how two teens accused of bashing a gay man went partying hours after he died.

11:46 The pilot of a Westpac rescue helicopter that made an emergency landing in Canterbury with an intensive care patient on board should not have been at

Tue, 22 Mar 2016

Universal basic income 'is worth considering' - economist

Duncan Garner speaks to Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens about the idea of a universal basic income.

Labour is considering a $211 a week universal income which would replace many welfare payments.

A Labour discussion paper says it would reduce the stigma from being on welfare while also encouraging entrepreneurship. It would also create a more efficient tax and welfare system, but there were concerns it might not be enough for disadvantaged people and they would need more support.

Listen to Labour's Grant Robertson discussing the idea with Duncan Garner:

The payments would add up to about $11,000 a year if the $211 a week amount option is adopted. One variation of this model mentioned in the discussion paper involves replacing New Zealand's progressive tax structure with a flat tax rate of 30%.

Another option of introducing a $22,000+ a year universal income, which would completely replace New Zealand's welfare state, was being considered.

Is a universal income a good idea? Vote here:

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