Queensland University of Technology   Brisbane Australia Skip bannerSkip to content A university for the real world - Income Security Research Project
QUT homeSocial Change Research HomeSite HomeAbout Basic IncomeAbout BIGAItems of InterestBIGA Historical Items

Universal Basic Income New Zealand UBINZ

 
About BIGA
OASIS-Australia
Centre for Social Change Research
* Universal Basic Income New Zealand
 

[Print-friendly version]

BIGA recognises the close links that have been forged in the South Pacific Region, between itself, Oasis – Australia and Universal Basic Income New Zealand (UBINZ). New Zealand is Australia’s closest neighbour that has a similar socio-economic income support distribution system. UBINZ has been working towards implementation of a Basic Income at a political level for several years, and may be visited at http://www.geocities.com/ubinz/

Universal Basic Income New Zealand

A Universal Basic Income (UBI) is an unconditional cash payment to individuals sufficient to meet basic needs.
www.geocities.com/ubinz/


History of Universal Basic Income New Zealand

In September 1991, Michael Goldsmith organised a Saturday conference on Basic Income proposals at the University of Waikato. The name "Universal Basic Income" was used in Keith Rankin's paper, presented to that conference. This paper gained widespread publicity following Rankin's interview with Kathryn Asare on National Radio. The paper, "The Universal Welfare State; incorporating proposals for a Universal Basic Income", was widely circulated before publication. It was eventually published as a Policy Discussion Paper by the Economics Department of the University of Auckland. A slightly modified version was published in the April 1992 issue of the New Zealand Political Review.

The organisation UBINZ was formed in Palmerston North subsequent to the April 1992 publication of Rankin's article. The UBI name has since come to be a generic term in New Zealand for tax-benefit reforms that provide an unconditional social income to individuals.

Through the efforts of Rendall Conwell and Ian Ritchie, UBINZ became a national network. UBINZ has organised two national conferences (1996, 1998; both in Wellington) on Universal Basic Income. Following the 1996 conference, Helen Marsh established a website (see August 1996 newsletter) with UBINZ material and basic income links.

The present website extends Helen's pioneering work, in publishing the UBINZ conference papers, and in establishing simple home pages for UBI activists.

UBINZ has been grateful for the financial support it has received from The Prince Albert College Fund of the Methodist Church of New Zealand.




 Privacy | Copyright | Accessibility
 Last modified 18-Apr-2007
 Contact us | Feedback | Disclaimer