Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is right to audit the highest-paid beneficiaries, Prime Minister John Key says.
Ms Bennett announced today the 50 people who received the most money in social welfare payments would be audited.
More than 300 beneficiaries receive more than $1000 a week and many in the top 50 have more than eight children.
Among those to be audited are a couple, both on the unemployment benefit for 15 years and with 10 children, who receive $1200 a week.
"I think she is doing the right thing in auditing the facts behind these individual cases," Mr Key said at his post-cabinet press conference.
"This is a situation where taxpayers have to feel confident the system is providing the necessary support but also value for money and a degree of fairness."
He said $1000 a week plus was more than the average wage.
"Let's just see whether all that is being claimed is appropriate and is fair."
Everyone gets the same base rate benefit and the couple who received $1200 would likely get add-ons such as an accommodation supplement or childcare assistance, he said.
The family's details became available following a question from Labour in Parliament, Mr Key said.
Ms Bennett said there were "isolated cases where it seems like a lot of money".
"I think it needs to be fair, so we are ensuring people are getting what they need, but not more than they are entitled to."
Labour MP Annette King said the 168 on the DPB getting more than $1000 a week were a small proportion of the 104,000 people on that benefit.
