Budget 2007: Families Young and Old

Budget 2007 strengthens the Labour-led government's investment in creating a bright, healthy and secure future for our families, young and old. It builds on our work since 1999 to give all New Zealanders a stake in society, and to ensure the benefits of economic transformation can be widely shared.

It is vital that we make sure our children get the best possible start in life. This budget continues Labour's mission to put quality early childhood education (ECE) within the reach of all New Zealanders, as part of the 10 year ECE strategic plan to improve quality, boost participation and promote collaboration.

The roll out of 20 Hours Free ECE is key to improving access and reducing the burden on families. Budget 2007 builds more schools and provides more teachers. Since 2000 we have hired more than 4000 extra teachers. More than half a billion dollars overall is being invested in our young people through Labour's drive to build a world-class education system.

Health represents our biggest investment in families, with $11.9 billion to be spent in the sector in total this coming year -- $5.5 billion more than in 2000/01. This will build on Labour's drive to boost access to Primary Health Organisations, with the final roll out of cheaper doctor visits for the 45 -- 64 age group from 1 July -- a major policy Labour has delivered as promised.

Working for Families is a key strategy to help families, which need it most, make ends meet. Taking the pressure off families is good for children, their parents and our communities. Working for Families is now available to around three quarters of all families, after the final roll out on April 1 of an increase in the tax credit of $10 per child -- another major policy delivered as promised.

The Labour-led government is determined to make New Zealand a better place to live and work. That's why we introduced four weeks annual leave on 1 April and again increased the minimum wage.

Budget 2007 goes further to create strong and safe communities for our families with help for community organisations and youth offender programmes. Funding is also being provided for the second tranche of the additional 1000 frontline police officers.

Older New Zealanders have always been a priority for the Labour-led government. We restored superannuation payments and lowered the burden of asset testing. Budget 2007 continues support for senior citizens with increases to superannuation payments and extra help for residential care and care at home.

Budget 2007 further underlines the progress we have made in building stronger, communities. Our families, young and old, are healthier, wealthier and more secure and the government will continue to build a fair society and a strong economy to improve prosperity for all.

Families, Young and Old -- major initiatives

Health

• expanding the elective surgery initiative ($238 million)


• increasing the focus on obesity through Healthy Eating-Healthy Action and Get Checked ($63.9 million)


• furthering the Cancer Control strategy ($26 million)


• modernising information technology infrastructure ($61.8 million)


• improving services for people with disabilities and older people, including through addressing workforce issues arising from low-paid workers in DHBs and within aged residential and home based support settings ($356 million)


• addressing emerging pressures on DHB pharmaceutical budgets ($80 million)


• including the pneumococcal vaccine in the National Immunisation Schedule to protect the public from this disease ($68 million)

Education

• $64.6 million for Early Childhood Education, bringing total investment in ECE to $755.2 million in 2007/08.


• $238.3 million of capital funding to build new schools and modernise existing schools.


• $133.4 million for 702 additional teachers.

Safer families and stronger communities

• The $20.4 million (over 2 years) 'Pathway to Partnership' strategy will boost the ability of community organisations to work with government to deliver services that support New Zealand children and families.


• Funding to further support the deployment of the second tranche of the 1000 new police officers.


• $2.4 million to strengthen the Police Complaints Authority.


• The Human Rights Commission will receive $8.7 million (including $540,000 of capital funding) to strengthen capacity to deliver key programmes and to improve information technology.

Budget 2007 Families, Young and Old Media Statements

Investing in a bright, secure future for families

17 May 2008, Steve Maharey, lead minister for the Families Young and Old theme. Also speaking: Jim Anderton, David Benson-Pope, Parekura Horomia, Mark Burton, Ruth Dyson, Chris Carter

Steve Maharey and other ministers present the Government’s programme of investment in New Zealand Families Young and Old for 2007 and 2008. The Labour-led government has brought about a paradigm shift in social and economic policy producing major improvements in the lives of New Zealanders.

Major investment in the health of New Zealanders

17 May 2007, Pete Hodgson media statement, Health

Budget 2007 provides a $750 million per annum boost to the health budget and funds major new investments in the health of New Zealanders of all ages including children and young people and families

Promoting healthy New Zealand families

17 May 2007, Pete Hodgson media statement, Health

Strengthening the health and well being of New Zealand families is a key focus of Budget 2007, which delivers on a wide range of programmes for children, parents and grandparents

New funding to step up fight against tobacco

24 May 2007 Damien O'Connor media statement, Associate Health

Budget 2007 boosts New Zealand's ongoing battle against the tobacco epidemic

Budget 07 recognises vital role of New Zealand's "backbone"

Damien O'Connor media statement, Rural Affairs

Budget 07 continues the Labour-led Government's ongoing commitment to rural New Zealand

Funding to expand drug buying

17 May 2007, Pete Hodgson and Peter Dunne joint media statement, Health and Associate Health

The government's drug-buying agency gets a permanent increase in funding in Budget 2007 - another $20 million a year for more medicines for both people in the community and those needing pharmaceutical treatments in hospital such as cancer patients

Improving health outcomes for Maori

17 May 2007, Mita Ririnui media statement, Associate Health

Budget 2007 underlines the Labour-led government's strategy to continue to invest in health to reduce inequalities and improve health outcomes for Maori

Focus on healthy active lifestyles

17 May 2007, Trevor Mallard media statement, Sport and Recreation

Budget 2007 provides for a further expansion of funding for sport and recreation to promote healthy active lifestyles

Extra teachers, schools further boost education

17 May 2007, Steve Maharey media statement, Education

The government is investing in hundreds of additional teachers, building new schools, and boosting funding for information technology, truancy and special education

Supporting healthy, confident young Kiwis

17 May 2007, Steve Maharey media statement, Education

The government is committed to giving children the best possible start in life through quality, affordable early childhood education and by promoting and encouraging healthy, active young lives

$1.4 million to encourage more aspiring principals

24 may 2007, Steve Maharey media statement, Education

Encouraging upcoming school leaders to become principals is the focus of a $1.4 million investment in a pilot for aspiring and potential school principals

Funding boost for kohanga reo

17 May 2007, Steve Maharey and Parekura Horomia joint media statement, Education, Associate Education

Budget 2007 will deliver kohanga reo increased funding of $13.9 million over four years

Strong families a top priority

17 May 2007, David Benson-Pope media statement, Social Development and Employment

Budget 2007 underlines the Labour-led government's commitment to strengthen the community sector, and provide greater support for young people at risk

Building strong and safe communities

17 May 2007, Mark Burton media statement, Justice

Every New Zealander should live in a safe and secure community where he or she can take part in all the activities a vibrant society offers.

Safeguarding whanau

17 May 2007, Parekura Horomia media statement, Associate Social Development and Employment

Budget 2007 invests $2 million in training and supporting those working to prevent violence in Maori whanau and communities

Older New Zealanders secure big gains

17 May 2007, Ruth Dyson media statement, Senior Citizens

Older New Zealanders will benefit greatly from a range of initiatives in this year’s budget

Support for successful housing programmes

17 May 2007, Chris Carter media statement, Housing

A $43.6 million package in Budget 2007 takes two highly successful housing programmes into new areas of the country, helping more New Zealand families

First steps towards shared equity scheme

17 May 2007, Chris Carter media statement, Housing

Budget 2007 sets aside $1.4 million for the design of a shared equity housing scheme, help more young New Zealanders own their own home

Extra funding to support Mâori wardens

17 May 2007, Parekura Horomia media statement. Maopri Affairs

Realising the potential of Mâori wardens to support their communities, especially Mâori youth, is the aim of a $2.5 million Budget 2007 investment