Chief Executive’s Overview
Over the last six years the Ministry has navigated a process of evolution focused on delivering real improvement in the lives of New Zealand children, families and communities.
This Statement of Intent sets out a programme of activity that continues our evolution, particularly in leading the Government priority of families – young and old.
Taking action early is vital for children and families experiencing problems. The merger last year with Child, Youth and Family has already demonstrably strengthened our capability to respond. In the year ahead we will continue to work on these gains to ensure our combined focus delivers real benefits to children and families.
We will be maintaining our investment in community-based parenting programmes such as Strategies for Kids – Information for Parents and Family Start, and expanding our provision with a suite of family support initiatives.
We are also implementing a range of interventions that will progress efforts to prevent and reduce the unacceptably high incidence of violence within families. Collaboration with other government agencies will be key to this work as it will be to our development of solutions for troubled youth.
Also vital to this work is the involvement of non-government agencies. Operating at the grass roots of our communities these organisations are often the first to know of problems within families.
Our work with such organisations is about supporting them as they support this country’s children and families. This is not solely about funding. It’s about building an outcomes focus, it’s about building capacity, and it’s about building better relationships.
A cornerstone for the wellbeing of all New Zealand families is financial security. For working age New Zealanders participation in paid work is the best path to that security. We are further refining our employment initiatives to widen their reach. Enhanced case management and job search services will sharpen our drive to reduce the number of people on the Unemployment Benefit, which is now below 30,000 for the first time in 27 years.
Financial security is a particularly vital concern for New Zealanders who have passed working age. We are developing a range of measures that will both protect the wealth that older New Zealanders have built over a lifetime and improve their access to discounts and concessions.
This year’s Statement of Intent introduces a number of developments. We have simplified the language of our outcomes framework. We have reviewed the measures for contributory outcomes to ensure they reflect the outcomes sought. And, for the first time, we have set out our approach to measuring cost effectiveness. This is a starting point only. Over time we will build an increasingly robust picture of effectiveness to enable us to adjust and refine our programmes and interventions.
The programme of work ahead presents us with exciting challenges. I am confident that the energy, innovation and professionalism of the Ministry’s people will ensure that we continue to make a positive difference in the lives of New Zealanders.
Peter Hughes
Chief Executive
