Coasties will be interested to know that the Government has announced increased support for job seekers receiving benefits.

Up to 70,000 individuals will now have access to comprehensive needs assessments and personalised job plans to help them overcome challenges and find employment.

According to Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston, "Individual Job Plans are a significant step forward in the Government's efforts to provide welfare that works for all New Zealanders."

The initiative aims to reduce the number of people on Jobseeker Support by 50,000 by 2030.

To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) will offer phone-based case management to an additional 10,000 people, increasing the total number of individuals with employment case managers to 70,000.

Each job seeker will receive a comprehensive work-readiness needs assessment, examining factors such as education, transport, addiction, health, and childcare issues.

Case managers will then work with individuals to create personalised plans addressing these challenges.

Minister Upston noted, "Many of those who are at risk of long-term welfare dependency have complex backgrounds and may require more help to address all the issues affecting their employability."

The new initiative aims to provide targeted support, including work-readiness, literacy and numeracy training, driver training, mental health services, counselling, and addiction support.

While the increased support will come with responsibility, job seekers who fail to meet agreed-upon work-testable actions may face sanctions through the new Traffic Light System.