Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regional Plan 2008/2009
What Janine has to say
“Covering a broad area geographically, our region comprises diverse communities with quite different social needs. While the population is increasing…, and will go some way to towards meeting the labour shortages, we still need to anticipate and plan for future needs”.
Janine Dowding
Regional Commissioner for Social Development
Highlights of 2007/2008
In partnership with government agencies, individuals and organisations, a variety of initiatives and programmes have been developed to address the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast region’s important social issues.
Highlights of work include:
- Approval of Enterprising Communities funding to implement the Marlborough Workforce Development Strategy
- Reduction in the number of people receiving an unemployment-related benefit
- Completion and release of Local Services Mapping profiles for Marlborough and Tasman Districts
- Funding of Barnados to respond to the needs of children and young people affected by family violence
- Funding of non-government organisations through the Campaign Response Fund.
Key Priorities for 2008/2009
Give children the best start in life
Key programmes and initiatives include:
- focusing on the children
- ensuring the right response at the right time
- ensuring children in care enjoy a stable home
- growing healthy children through sport
- checking the health of children in our care
- supporting Mäori families and children.
Help young people achieve their potential
Key programmes and initiatives include:
- supporting young people make positive transitions
- helping young people make better choices
- building a collective response to help young people
- providing young people with a voice
- helping young people to live independently.
Enable people to live independent lives
Key programmes and initiatives include:
- helping more people into paid work
- helping tertiary students make good decisions
- supporting local employers
- valuing our older people
- expanding SuperGold Card benefits.
Support families and whanau to be safe and resilient
Key programmes and initiatives include:
- building families’ financial wellbeing
- bringing families and support agencies together
- identifying families with multiple and complex needs
- helping families who experience violence.
Strengthen communities
Key programmes and initiatives include:
- strengthening community providers
- supporting local-level planning
- improving rural access to government services
- supporting migrants settle in
- improving community capacity
- building stronger community connections
- bringing services together in one place
