The government has unveiled plans for an unemployment insurance, which would see people who were laid off or lost their jobs having as much as eighty percent of their former income for up to seven months.

While it is supported by Business New Zealand and the Council of Trade Unions, welfare advocates have questioned that it would drive inequality.

Associate Professor Mike O'Brien is the Child Poverty Action Group's social security spokesperson, and Richard Wagstaff is the President of the Council of Trade Unions.  They spoke to Justin Wong.