Politics Live Blog - ongoing OLD

New data shows that as of April 9, only 249 families had received the maximum amount available under the FamilyBoost scheme since it came into effect last year.

This is just 1.2% of the 21,000 families the Government said were eligible for the full FamilyBoost payment of $975 a quarter or $3900 a year.

“IRD’s advice was based on its best estimates at the time and – despite best efforts – they got these wrong," Finance Minister Nicola Willis told the NZ Herald.

The payment was National's flagship cost-of-living policy.  It's a partial reimbursement of early childhood education fees, where eligible families can claim up to 25% of their fees every three months.

The maximum payment gradually reduces for families with incomes above $140,000 per annum, and families earning over $180,000 annually are not eligible.

The latest uptake figures came in response to a written parliamentary question from Labour. 

The payment has faced criticism from across the board since its inception - the union representing early childcare workers in October said many families didn't know about the scheme, or found it hard to navigate.

Labour, and the Child Poverty Action Group have also said the scheme does not effectively helped families struggling with high living costs and early childcare costs - which are the highest among the OECD countries.

Nicola Willis, the Minster of Finance, has been contacted in response to the latest figures.