The Government has announced a mammoth 11-person panel to advise on the overhaul of the welfare system, made up of academics, social advocates, economists and business leaders.

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the group would undertake a "broad-ranging" review of the welfare system.

"It will deliver advice to the Government on ways to ensure people have an adequate income and standard of living, are treated with respect, can live in dignity, and are able to participate meaningfully in their communities."

The overhaul of the system was promised as part of Labour's Confidence and Supply agreement with the Green Party. Sepuloni said a welfare overhaul was "unreservedly supported" by all of Government, pointing to NZ First.

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The Green's campaigned on removing nearly all sanctions and rules around receiving a benefit, however entered the campaign without the policy's champion Metiria Turei, after she was forced to resign over mounting pressure following an admission of historical benefit fraud.

NZN VIDEO Fraud investigator contacts Metiria Turei after she revealed she lied to Work and Income about her living arrangements in order to receive a higher welfare payment than she was entitled to when she was a young solo mother in the 1990s.

Sepuloni confirmed the group would be taking a special look at the sanctions brought in by the previous Government, as part of a system-wide overhaul in 2012.

"Areas that the Welfare Expert Advisory Group has been asked to focus on range from considering the overall purpose of the system, through to specific recommendations on the current obligations and sanctions regime."

Auckland University professor Cindy Kiro will lead the group as chair, said Sepuloni. "Her relentless focus on building on the potential in people reflects the principles of this government."

Kiro's current focus of research is in the education sector. She is a former Children's Commissioner, and established the Taskforce for Action on Family Violence under the previous Government.

That was the largest ever response to family violence and included 22 government department chief executives, the Chief District Court Judge, NZ Police Commissioner, Principal Family Court Judge, Chief Families Commissioner, five NGO Chief Executives, and Māori and Pacific island representatives.

Other members of the welfare panel include paedeatrician and professor Innes Asher, beneficiary advocate Kay Brereton, academics Huana Hickey and Tracey McIntosh, economist Ganesh Nana and former Business NZ chief executive Phil O'Reilly, as well as trade unionist Robert Reid.

Representing the Council of Christian Social Services on the group was chief executive Trevor McGlinchy, and second-year university student Latayvia Tualasea Tauta will provide a Pasifika perspective to the panel along with lived experience of growing up in a benefit-dependent household, while Family Centre founder Charles Waldegrave rounds out the 11-person group.

"The welfare system touches the lives of New Zealanders from all walks of life," said Sepuloni. "I am pleased that the Welfare Expert Advisory Group members themselves come from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience, including but not limited to Māori, Pacific, disabled, and young people."

Under-Secretary Jan Logie said the Greens welcomed the establishment of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group.

"This Government knows there are immediate changes we need to make to our welfare system, which we are working on. But we also need to take a long term view and ensure the whole system is working effectively and compassionately."

Minister Tracey Martin said the working group would provide good support to the overhaul. "Having a range of experienced perspectives outside of government contributing to the Government's vision in this sector is crucial to getting it right and delivering better outcomes for New Zealanders."

The welfare advisory group is expected to report back to the Government in February next year.