The costs to the taxpayer from benefits have fallen due to benefit reforms. The latest valuation current lifetime liability of the New Zealand welfare system estimates the liability at NZD76.5bn, a fall of NZD10.3bn. The saving came from having fewer people on benefits, fewer sole parents taking up benefits and more ceasing to claim over the course of 2013. It also reflects the reduced projected cost of supporting young people. Reforms in the past two years modified the past system of seven categories to three main benefits in July 2013, and have removed unemployment, sickness and domestic purpose benefits.
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