Its interaction with the wider welfare benefit system is complex, and some complain its abatement rates unfairly penalise poorer people for working more.
There have also been calls to greatly expand it – the Government's Welfare Expert Advisory Group suggested it should be given to couples without children.
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the Cabinet agreed to the review in 2019 but “a lot happened in 2020” that stopped it going forward then.
She was not willing to commit to the new review starting within 2021 or to speak at length about the terms of reference.
BRADEN FASTIER
Revenue Minister David Parker said he doubted that root-and-branch reform was needed.