Budget fact sheets 2006 - Improving outcomes for young people in South Auckland
The Government is investing additional funding of $10 million over the next four years to better meet local demand for community-based programmes to improve outcomes for young people in Counties-Manukau.
Most young people can develop and flourish if they are connected to the right mix of social resources. In addition to the support of family, neighbourhood/community-based and volunteer-based programmes offer strong support to adolescent youth.
There are a range of successful community based programmes in Counties-Manukau providing a valuable service. With a rapidly expanding and diverse population however, they are becoming increasingly stretched to meet the equally expanding demand for services. In particular, there is an urgent need for parenting programmes for families with youth.
The challenges that a growing youth population poses to this region are varied but the high proportion of young New Zealanders living in Counties-Manukau also means that the region will be a significant influence on the future prosperity of our nation.
Counties-Manukau is unique compared to other regions in New Zealand. Twelve percent of New Zealand’s young people, under the age of 24, live in the region. It is one of the most ethnically diverse regions, with 165 different ethnic groups, and second- and third-generation migrant families. Counties-Manukau is also one of the poorest communities in New Zealand.
High concentrations of households with very low incomes result in significant long-term social costs, including poorer health and educational outcomes for children and young people. Many of the families in these communities struggle with low incomes, diminishing community and family support, and social isolation.
This funding complements the range of programmes and services already provided by Government to lift the outcomes for young people in this community.
To build on the opportunities offered by the large youth population in the region, Government will be investing $2.5 million per annum over the next four years to continue to fund youth workers, to meet an urgent need for parenting programmes for parents of youth, and to address other critical gaps in services and programmes for young people and families in Counties-Manukau. This funding contributes to Government’s priority theme of “Families – Young and Old” by supporting the growth of stronger families, health, confident kids, and safer communities.
