Statement of Intent 2007 - Ministry of Social Development - At a glance
At some point in their lives, most New Zealanders will have contact with the Ministry of Social Development. Making a positive difference at that point of contact is at the heart of the work we do.
The Ministry provides whole-of-sector leadership in delivering policy advice and social services to improve social outcomes for New Zealand’s children and young people, working age people, older people, families – young and old and communities.
At a national level, we:
- research what is really happening in New Zealand society
- create strategies for social development
- put those strategies into action and make sure they succeed.
Throughout the country we have around 200 frontline sites that serve more than 1,000,000 clients. The support we provide includes:
- statutory care and protection of children and young people, youth justice services, adoption services and funding to community service providers through Child, Youth and Family
- income support, employment services and New Zealand Superannuation through Work and Income
- administering New Zealand’s international welfare portability arrangements through Senior Services
- student allowances and student loans, through StudyLink
- access to affordable health care for older people, families and lower income New Zealanders through the Community Services Card
- a benefit system that has integrity and that minimises the debt of our clients
- services to rural clients through Heartland Services
- leadership and co-ordination of services, through Family and Community Services.
We provide services to the following Ministers:
- Minister for Social Development and Employment
- Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment (Child, Youth and Family)
- other Associate Ministers for Social Development and Employment
- Minister for Senior Citizens
- Associate Minister for Senior Citizens
- Minister for Disability Issues
- Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
- Minister of Youth Affairs
- Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.
We will be administering the following Votes in 2007/2008:
- Vote Child, Youth and Family Services
- Vote Senior Citizens
- Vote Social Development
- Vote Veterans’ Affairs – Social Development
- Vote Youth Development.
We provide purchase, governance and ownership advice for the following Crown entities:
- Children's Commissioner
- Retirement Commissioner
- Families Commission
- Social Workers Registration Board
- New Zealand Artificial Limb Board.
We provide advice on appointments to the following statutory tribunals:
- Social Security Appeal Authority
- Student Allowance Appeal Authority
- Social Workers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal.
The key pieces of legislation we manage and administer include the:
- Adoption Act 1955 (operational administration)
- Adoptions (Intercountry) Act 1997 (operational administration)
- Adult Adoption Information Act 1985 (operational administration)
- Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989
- Children's Commissioner Act 2003
- Department of Child, Youth and Family Services Act 1999
- Department of Social Welfare Act 1971
- Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975 (except Part 2A)
- Education Act 1989 (Part 25)
- Employment Services and Income Support Integrated Administration) Act 1998
- Families Commission Act 2003
- Family Benefits (Home Ownership) Act 1964
- New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001 (Parts 1 and 4 and Schedules 1 and 6)
- Social Security Act 1964
- Social Welfare (Transitional Provisions) Act 1990
- Social Workers Registration Act 2003.
