The horror that is MSD
The MSD homelessness denial at the centre of this latest scandal tells you everything about how far bureaucratic cruelty has been normalised in New Zealand. When officials start calling visible suffering a “narrative”, it’s not just incompetence — it’s moral rot.
MSD document says there’s ‘no evidence’ hundreds of New Zealanders are without shelter
A government document says it is a “narrative” that hundreds of New Zealanders live without shelter, and there is “no evidence” to validate that.
The Ministry of Social Development internal briefing said a plan to support rough sleepers was put together “to support dispelling any myths and ensure those without shelter are not disadvantaged”.
When RNZ put those comments to the ministry, it said they did not reflect its views and should not have been included.
RNZ
MSD homelessness denial isn’t new
In response to media coverage of Kiwis living in cars during his term as Prime Minister, John Key fronted a morning press conference to tell journalists that MSD staff had been out with community groups overnight meeting Kiwis in cars to help them find transitional housing options.
Almost immediately following John Key’s statement, Community Groups immediately called on the Prime Minister to correct his statement because MSD staff DID NOT interact with the homeless.
This demand to set the record immediately straight was because the Community Groups knew that the homeless they work with hate MSD and WINZ with such a deep resentment that if they thought for one second that the MSD or WINZ goons were alongside them, the outreach would be refused!
Why so many vulnerable people fear WINZ
I have mad respect and aroha for doctors, nurses, teachers, firefighters, care givers and public servants, but I despise MSD and WINZ.
They have toxic cultures that actively loathe and despise the vulnerable and broken they are tasked to assist.
I have heard so many terrible stories from inside WINZ and MSD, I believe staff become so damaged with dealing with the desperation of others that they actively become spiteful.
For MSD to try and laugh off homelessness numbers as unreal, shows how out of touch they have become and why Community Groups are needed to help people navigate the deliberately obtuse system.
MSD and WINZ are there to punish and threaten and make welfare so difficult to access that the desperate are driven away.
Of course MSD are saying “there is no evidence hundreds of New Zealanders are without shelter”. They have moved them away, out of sight, out of mind! Are there no depths this ugly, evil govt won’t go to to get their way? Winter is coming; would you like to be living in a doorway, under a bridge, even in a car? Clearly so many have buried their heads in the sand, yet again. So snuggle up in your cosy beds with your full tummies and continue to sleep easily! Why isn’t our caring media bringing us photos of this disgraceful problem? Yes, why indeed!