New Zealand’s bailout blunder is Jacinda Ardern’s latest error

This week more than two million New Zealanders are expected to receive roughly $116 (£60) in their bank accounts as the government paid out the first instalment of its cost-of-living payment. A further two instalments over the next two months have been promised to those earning below $70,000 (£36,000).

These payments are part of a plan by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to address the soaring everyday costs Kiwis are facing. Speaking yesterday, she declared that the grant would help New Zealanders through the ‘peak of the global inflation storm’.

But, it seems that something of a blunder has occurred. Speaking ahead of the funds being paid out, Revenue Minister David Parker revealed it was possible that thousands of people had received the cost-of-living payment in error.

New Zealanders living overseas have received letters saying they qualify for the bonus, despite not being New Zealand tax residents. Working holidaymakers, students and other short-term visa holders who have moved home have also reported getting the email on social media.

Among these are a man who left in 2014 and is now living in India, and a French former worker now living in the Philippines after leaving New Zealand in 2019.