Youth Tutor on Youth Benefit policy

Simon Collins at NZ Herald reports:

But Glen-Paul Waru, who tutors the Mangere course and hosts his own Tuesday night hip-hop show Juicy on Juice TV, said National was “on to something” with its plan.

“It was an eye-opener for me when I started working with at-risk youth. I was blown away with the holes in the system and the inadequacy of Winz.”

He said many families pushed their teenage children into applying for the IYB, arranging for aunts or uncles to declare that the children no longer got on with their parents, because the families needed the extra income.

It would be interesting to know the stats for how many IYB recepients stay with family members, and how many rent totally independently.

Many teenagers lied about how much rent they paid so they could get more money. Most received travel allowances of $10 a day to get to class but got lifts with friends so they could spend the money on drugs and alcohol.

“I’ve voted Labour all my life except last time, when I voted no confidence,” he said.

“I’m voting National, only because I’ve been working in this environment for a year and I see how youth are affected … I think National is on to something. It’s not perfect but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Nothing like the voice from the ground, who has no axe to grind.