Taranaki, King Country and Whanganui Regional Plan 2006/2007
Foreword from the Regional Commissioner for Social Development
Greetings!
I am delighted to present to you our first Ministry of Social Development Regional Plan. It describes the breadth of our work, who we are working with, who we are working for, what our priorities are and how we can work together for the future benefit of this wonderful region which we have the good fortune to be part of. Whether you identify one or 100 opportunities for us to work together, we welcome them all.
Social development is an approach that provides equal opportunity and a fair go for everyone. It also means that during hard times, we will make sure people are given a helping hand. If we are to provide better health, education and employment outcomes tomorrow, we need to be investing in people today.
By applying a social development approach to our work, we increase our knowledge and understanding of how the areas of wellbeing such as health, employment and education intertwine and work together.
Social development involves tackling the underlying causes of people’s problems - investing early in addressing issues to avoid the bumps in the road to achieve success in life. We need strong families and communities so people can thrive. Individuals, families and communities face challenges and pressures. The complex nature of the issues some people face presents challenges for us, and we cannot help to resolve them on our own. Lasting positive change therefore, requires a partnership approach, and we are committed to working together with other agencies and sectors on areas of shared interest.
We maintain that employment remains the most efficient welfare policy ever invented. It is therefore a very exciting time for us, with unemployment at the lowest levels in two decades. This positions us well to introduce enhanced services for all working-age people. In tandem with the Working for Families package, this provides even greater opportunities for people to work and for us to lift labour market participation.
Our work touches the lives of many people. Every day our staff are making a positive difference for people, from infants right through to those in their golden years. They are talented, skilled and dedicated people ready and able to work in a variety of situations. Their commitment to improving social outcomes for people and communities is inspiring.
Leading and contributing to work that strengthens communities and improves the lives of individuals and families is not just our business but our commitment to the people who live in our communities. As we move forward we are well placed to make even greater contributions to the social and economic achievement of our region.
Gloria Campbell
Regional Commissioner for Social Development
