New Zealand to give cash payments to some low income families as global fuel crisis worsens

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced that roughly 157,000 low-income families will receive weekly cash payments starting April 1 to offset surging fuel costs tied to Middle East conflict. Approximately 143,000 families with children will get NZ$50 (about $29) weekly through an expanded in-work tax credit, while another 14,000 families on slightly higher incomes will receive smaller amounts. The policy is believed to be the world's first direct fuel relief payment to citizens since the Iran war began, targeting households where at least one parent works but the family faces financial strain from elevated petrol prices. The payments aim to ease immediate economic pressure on working families as global energy markets remain volatile. New Zealand joins other nations grappling with how to shield lower-income households from energy-cost inflation.