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Social Development

Associated Ministers

13 June, 2013

Employment opportunities coming up

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is pleased to see a number of good work opportunities around New Zealand as businesses expand.

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12 June, 2013

New National Children’s Director announced

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today welcomed the appointment of Sue Mackwell as the new National Children’s Director.

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7 June, 2013

Rotorua Children’s Team appointment

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today announced the appointment of the Rotorua Children's Director to lead implementation of the local Children’s Team.

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28 May, 2013

Breakfast programme part of the solution

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett believes the Government has struck the right balance by supporting the KickStart Breakfast expansion.

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27 May, 2013

Government’s response to the Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty

Government’s response to the Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty

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24 May, 2013

Family Violence coordination gets support

The Government is extending the funding for Family Violence Response Coordination (FVRC) says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

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21 May, 2013

Young people leading the way at Lifehack Weekends

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is impressed with projects developed by young New Zealanders during a series of Lifehack weekends held around the country in April.

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21 May, 2013

E Tū Whānau Hui Workshops, Launch of E Tū Whānau Toolbox & Budget Announcement

E ngā mātāwaka e tau mai nei ki raro i te mana o Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru o Te Arawa, tēnā koutou katoa.

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21 May, 2013

Budget 2013: E Tū Whānau - More support available to address family violence

Associate Minister for Social Development, Tariana Turia announced today an additional $8m over four years for the E Tū Whānau programme to help address family violence within Māori whānau, Pasifika, migrant and refugee communities.

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20 May, 2013

Funding continues to resolve historic abuse claims

The Government has committed $16 million over the next four years to continue the Ministry’s successful Historic Claims Resolution Process for those abused in care.

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16 May, 2013

Commitment to Children’s Action Plan continues

The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable children through the Children’s Action Plan, Chair of the Ministerial Oversight Group Paula Bennett says.

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16 May, 2013

More intensive support through welfare reform

A further investment of $188.6 million for the next stage of welfare reform will ensure beneficiaries get more intensive support to move from welfare to work, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

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16 May, 2013

$35m for extended family raising children

Funding of $35 million over four years has been set aside in contingency for extended family members caring for children, recognising the difficult job they do.

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16 May, 2013

Microfinance support for people on low incomes

The Government is supporting New Zealanders on low incomes with a suite of measures designed to help them become more independent.

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15 May, 2013

Borrows congratulates Student Job Search on 30 years

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows today congratulated Student Job Search on 30 years of helping students find work.

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14 May, 2013

Families Commission Board appointments

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announces new Families Commission Board appointments and acknowledges an outgoing member.

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7 May, 2013

Budgeting Services get extra funding

The Government is supporting people on low incomes by investing more money into organisations providing budgeting advice and support.

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6 May, 2013

Budget 2013: Development of Marae CBD and Community Hubs

The Government has set aside $1.2 million in Budget 2013 for the development of Community Hubs and Marae CBD that will deliver social services to communities, Associate Social Development Minister Tariana Turia says.

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26 April, 2013

Growing up in NZ study receives more funding

The Government has committed $5.6 million over two years from Vote Social Development to the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study, led by the University of Auckland.

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26 April, 2013

Future Focus continues to make a difference

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says Future Focus changes are reducing reliance on welfare and saving taxpayer dollars.

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24 April, 2013

Welfare reforms working for young people

More young people are going off benefit into work and education, with better support to be independent thanks to the Government’s welfare reforms.

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23 April, 2013

Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project progressing well

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is pleased with progress on MSD-led initiatives within the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project.

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18 April, 2013

Minister welcomes Children’s Health Camps rebrand

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has hosted an event at Parliament to celebrate the rebranding of Children’s Health Camps.

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14 April, 2013

Information sharing identifies benefit savings

Expanded information sharing between Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has already resulted in 525 benefits being cancelled, and will result in savings to the Crown, says Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows.

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14 April, 2013

Benefit numbers fall

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says there are 29,000 fewer New Zealanders receiving benefits since the last quarter.

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11 April, 2013

New joint fraud initiative uncovers welfare fraud

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows today congratulated Police and the Ministry of Social Development on a joint investigation which has uncovered a sizeable welfare payment fraud out of South Auckland.

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11 April, 2013

Borrows welcome Northern Territory counterpart

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows will this week host Hon John Elferink in New Zealand, on a visit to view corrections and youth justice programmes.

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10 April, 2013

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren provide valuable advice

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is working with Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) to discuss support for their members.

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9 April, 2013

Welfare reforms pass into law

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomes the passing of the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill into law.

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5 April, 2013

Funding improvements for out of school care

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced changes to the funding system for Out of School Care (OSCAR) programmes.

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