Portfolio: Social Development And Employment

Fund continues to support vital community services

Massi — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:23:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Over $4.5 million of funding has been provided to 121 community organisations in the eighth round of the Community Response Fund. “This funding recognises the important role local social services play in the health and well being of their communities,” says Ms Bennett. The Community Response Fund was established in 2009 and extended until mid-2012 to help community groups struggling with extra demand as a result of the recession. The Fund has now provided $66.8 million to 1434 organisations. ...

Unemployment Benefit numbers drop in October

francistill — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:26:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

The number of New Zealanders on Unemployment Benefits dropped by 791 last month says Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett. “There are 13,500 fewer people on Unemployment Benefits since the peak last January and about half of that decrease is made up of young people.” “We’ve seen 549 fewer 18-24 year olds on the Unemployment Benefit over the last month, which is fantastic,” says Ms Bennett. There are 54,870 New Zealanders on the Unemployment Benefit and 330,755 people on all benefits. ...

Funding a fresh approach to youth offending

francistill — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:55:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is pleased to announce the successful applicants to the Fresh Start Innovation Fund. “Nine providers have received funding to make a real difference with young offenders, particularly with young Maori,” says Ms Bennett. “As part of the Fresh Start policy for young offenders, the Innovation Fund supports new ideas or programmes that offer a different approach to working with at risk young people,” Ms Bennett says. ...

Ministers announce new disability innovation fund

francistill — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:07:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Disability Issues

The Minister for Social Development and Employment, Paula Bennett and the Minister for Disability Issues, Tariana Turia, today announced the new Disability Innovation Fund making $500,000 available for innovative ways of getting disabled people into work or retaining them in work. “A priority for me is to get people into work. This fund supports disabled people into work and also supports employers to retain disabled workers,” said Minister Bennett. ...

Welfare reform

francistill — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:47:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

E nga mana, e nga reo, e te iwi o te motu, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa. In this great little country of ours we have 328,000 people of working age receiving a benefit – that’s around 12 per cent of the entire working age population. More than half of these people have been on welfare for most of the past decade. We have 222,000 children being brought up in homes where the main income is the benefit. ...

Extra jobs created despite economic challenges

Massi — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:03:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

The relatively flat 6.6 per cent unemployment rate in September underlines the importance of the Government continuing with strong and stable economic management, Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett says. "Unemployment peaked in 2009 and is gradually coming down. And it is good to see an extra 63,000 jobs were created in the past two years, despite challenges from the Canterbury earthquakes and the global financial crisis. ...

Community Forums making progress

Massi — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:14:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has received the first substantive report back on progress from Community Response Model Forums. “I established these Forums around New Zealand with local people because I believe people know their own communities best and can make good decisions about where social service funding is most needed.” The fourteen Forums have been established across New Zealand to engage with communities on what services work and what supports are missing. ...

Support for Tauranga businesses

Massi — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:05:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today announced help for small businesses and sole traders impacted by the Rena grounding. “We’re providing support to businesses that either can’t operate or have experienced significant loss as a result of the Rena grounding and cannot pay employees,” says Ms Bennett. “This Rena Support Subsidy will give the worst-affected businesses, which rely on the sea and coastline, a hand to keep paying their staff.” ...

Major welfare reform resets expectations

francistill — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:19:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has today confirmed the Government’s intention to comprehensively reform the benefit system. “It’s not socially or financially sustainable to continue to spend eight billion dollars a year to pay benefits to 12 per cent of working age New Zealanders.” There are clear links between welfare, poverty and poor health. Evidence shows children are better off when their parents are in work, not on welfare. ...

Pacific Community and youth fono : Hopes and Dreams - Achieving Dreams brings new challenges

francistill — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:55:00 +0000

Tariana Turia | Social Development and Employment

Kia orana! Ni sa bula vanaka. Talofa lava, fakaalofa lahi atu. Taloha ni! Talofa, malo e lelei. Tēnā koutou, otirā tātau me ngā tini āhuatanga o te wā. Huri atu te pō, nau mai te ao I want to firstly acknowledge Pastor Teremoana Tauira and the Pacific Ministers Forum for blessing us with a strong foundation for us all to be here today. This is such an exciting moment in your journey, and I am so proud to have been invited along to launch the Maori and Pasifika collective, Waka e Tasi. ...

Break-away school holiday programmes announced

Massi — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:42:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is pleased to announce another round of Break-Away School Holiday Programmes is going ahead. “This is the third year we have run free school holiday programmes for young people who might not otherwise get the chance to attend,” says Ms Bennett. This year $3 million in funding will provide 30,000 one-week places over the summer holidays and in April next year. ...

Richard Wood to lead Family Violence Taskforce

Massi — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:47:00 +0000

Tariana Turia | Social Development and Employment

Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, Hon Tariana Turia, has welcomed Mr Richard Wood as the new Chair of the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families. Mr Wood replaces outgoing Chair Peter Hughes, the former Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development. Mrs Turia said Mr Wood has been a very active member of the Taskforce since its establishment in 2005. “He has an excellent knowledge of the Taskforce’s aims, past achievements and the challenges ahead”. ...

More social workers to focus on children

Massi — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:12:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is delighted to announce an increase in numbers of social workers both in schools and on the frontline. “Protecting children is an absolute priority and we need enough qualified social workers focused exclusively on children to do that,” says Ms Bennett. “We’re answering the call from low decile schools to provide specialist support for children and we’re also boosting frontline social workers to cope with increasing notifications and findings of abuse,” says Ms Bennett. ...

Minister welcomes new appointment within Ministry of Social Development

Massi — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:59:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomes the appointment of Murray Edridge as the new head of Family and Community Services. “Mr Edridge has worked with community organisations for many years and is a well liked and highly respected leader in the sector,” says Ms Bennett. “He has a big job ahead of him, but his experience, leadership skills and talent will stand him in good stead,” she said. ...

Benefit levels remain largely unchanged

Massi — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:54:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on benefits remains high, though thousands still find work every month. “Last month more than 6,700 people cancelled their benefit because they found a job and I congratulate every one of them,” says Ms Bennett. “While total benefit numbers remain high, the Unemployment Benefit is now at its lowest since July 2009.” At the end of September there were 55,661 unemployment beneficiaries. ...

Childcare provision protected as part of welfare plan

Massi — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 21:08:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced a $2.8 million boost to out of school care funding, supporting a focus on work not welfare. “This Government is balancing greater work expectations on beneficiaries who have children, with greater support, including childcare.” “We’re committed to removing barriers to work and providing adequate quality childcare is a vital part of that,” says Ms Bennett. ...

Funding takes pressure off community organisations

Massi — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:42:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Community organisations have received more than $7 million from the Government in the seventh round of the Community Response Fund. “This funding acknowledges the vital role social service providers play and confirms this Government is backing them,” says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett The Community Response Fund was originally introduced for two years, but Minister Bennett extended it in the last Budget until mid-2012. ...

Young beneficiaries get opportunities to work

Massi — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:10:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says Work and Income’s youth focused seminars are getting results, but non-attendance is a real issue. “These seminars provide opportunities for young people to connect with local employers, or take up education that will lead to a job,” says Ms Bennett. The seminars run by Work and Income around the country are seeing young people move off benefit into jobs and training. ...

High priority for schools reporting concerns to CYF

Massi — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:45:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has asked Child Youth and Family to strengthen processes to respond better to school reports of abuse. “Teachers and principals know the children they teach, they know what’s normal for each child and what’s not,” says Ms Bennett. “I felt we could strengthen the priority process, so if teachers have genuine concerns about a child’s welfare, they get a rapid response.” ...

Launch and signing of the kawa for Te Waihono a Kupe - Maori Caucus on Whanau Violence Prevention

Massi — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:14:00 +0000

Tariana Turia | Social Development and Employment

Friday 16 September 2011; 10am I couldn’t be prouder to be here today. This is an historic day – a powerful moment in our shared histories when a statement is being made about the state of our lives. This is a day when together - Te Kawerau a Maki, Ngati Whatua and Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi have stood tall. ...

Workshops focus on abuse detection and prevention

francistill — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:00:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomes the Child Matters and Child Youth and Family partnership teaching professionals about child abuse. “This country has appalling rates of child abuse and its vital people working with children know what to look for and how to respond to signs of abuse.” Since May last year 62 workshops have reached 1,850 professionals and a further 21 workshops will reach a total of around 2,490 individuals by October 2011. ...

Te Whakaruruhau Maori Women's Refuge, Hamilton - Opening of their new whare

Massi — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:29:00 +0000

Tariana Turia | Social Development and Employment

Twenty five years ago Te Whakaruruhau was established as the first Maori Women’s Refuge in Aotearoa. Ever since those early days, Te Whakaruruhau has been known as breaking new ground, providing the leadership and the inspiration for working with whanau in a way which would best result in wellness and wellbeing. And so I am absolutely delighted, having shared the journey over the years, to now be here with you all, celebrating the opening of your new safe-house. I have to say, I have a special fondness for Whakaruruhau. ...

Unemployment Benefit numbers drop

Massi — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:08:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on the Unemployment Benefit dropped last month, particularly among youth. “Unemployment Benefit numbers dropped last month by 1,145 with half of the decrease due to more young people going into work,” says Ms Bennett. “We’ve consistently kept the focus on young people and Work and Income staff have really taken that to heart and made a big difference.” The total number of people on the Unemployment Benefit is now 55,974, the lowest it’s been since July 2009. ...

Focus on youth employment continues

francistill — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:28:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the Government’s high priority on young people continues through the Job Ops with Training and Skills for Growth programmes. “Since 2009 this Government has backed nearly 12,000 young people into work by giving them a job and valuable experience through the Job Opportunity employer subsidy,” says Ms Bennett. Job Ops paid $5,000 to an employer to take a young person off benefit and employ them for a minimum of six months. ...

All seven Supported Teen Parent Homes now open

francistill — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:56:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

The Minister of Social Development officially opened the first Supported Teen Parent Home in Gisborne today, the last of seven to open around the country. “We said we’d open seven supported homes for teen parents and it’s fantastic to celebrate this milestone with Te Aka Ora House,” says Ms Bennett. ...

Farewell function for Gregory Fortuin and Kim Workman, Families Commission - speech notes

Massi — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:00:00 +0000

Tariana Turia | Social Development and Employment

Whoever it was that coined the phrase, ‘A good man is hard to find’ clearly had not met Gregory Fortuin and Kim Workman. Today we are here to celebrate two very good men – men who have lived their lives in a way which is inspirational to us all. Last night I released a pack of resources around whanau wellbeing including a set on becoming a Dad. The key messages we were promoting are that becoming a father is easy, being a Dad isn’t. A good dad is someone who speaks openly and honestly with compassion. ...

E Tu! and Pasefika Positive Messaging Campaign

francistill — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:57:00 +0000

Tariana Turia | Social Development and Employment

One of the greatest sources of celebration, of unity, of togetherness that we share, as peoples of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, is the gift of song. And so when I think of the concept of ‘E Tu’ to stand tall, I am inevitably drawn to the words of a waiata that our children are brought up on E tu kahikatea , hei whakapae ururoa Awhi mai awhi atu, tatou, tatou e. ...

New resources to raise awareness of family violence

Massi — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Tariana Turia | Social Development and Employment

Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Tariana Turia has announced new resource materials to raise awareness about and address family violence been developed for Maori and Pasefika communities. “These materials will reinforce activities already underway at the local level”, Minister Turia said. “Local communities are leading the way in providing clear, consistent messages about building strong families and preventing and addressing family violence. These resources will help support that work”. ...

Working closer to protect children

francistill — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:01:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett joined Police, District Health Board and Ministry of Social Development representatives to sign a new agreement to strengthen child protection. “A cross-government approach to child protection was a key recommendation of the Independent Experts Forum and this agreement is part of the Government’s continued work on those recommendations,” says Ms Bennett. ...

Welfare reforms to start with young people

francistill — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 00:50:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Social Development and Employment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today said the National-led Government’s welfare reforms begin with a fresh approach to working with vulnerable and disengaged young people. As part of a commitment to reducing long-term benefit dependency, the Government is working through the Welfare Working Group recommendations made earlier this year. “Over the coming months, we’ll set out a clear direction for welfare reform and New Zealanders can expect a series of policy announcements, each with a focus on better opportunities,” says Ms Bennett. ...