Our operating environment: how we help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent

The role of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is to promote social development for all New Zealanders. We centre everything we do on helping people, whānau, families and communities, and we work to contribute positively to the wellbeing of people today and into the future.

At 30 June 2019 we were providing direct support to 1.25 million people – about one in four New Zealanders, including working-age people, whānau, families, students and seniors. It is important that we understand people’s needs and connect them with all the support they are entitled to receive. In doing this, we are driven by our purpose to help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent.

We cannot do this alone. We partner with many different agencies, organisations and groups within communities who have the right connections and expertise to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.

As an agency of the Crown we are committed to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We want to work with Māori to understand how best to support them towards achieving their aspirations. Woven into the fabric of support are manaakitanga, kotahitanga and whakawhanaungatanga – intrinsic values that help ensure a true partnership in wellbeing.

We support social development through:

• providing support to New Zealanders – employment, income support, superannuation, student assistance, public housing services
• building capability – for example by providing access to employment services
• strengthening inclusion and participation – for example through family violence prevention and support services
• setting direction – for example by providing policy advice to Ministers
• monitoring three Crown entities (the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service, and the Social Workers Registration Board)
• ensuring our legislation is effective and fit for purpose
• working with other agencies to support Government priorities and improve the wellbeing of all New Zealanders
• advocating for key population groups through the Office for Seniors, the Office for Disability Issues and the Ministry of Youth Development.

The services we provide

We deliver the following financial assistance:

• benefits
• other financial support (including for non-beneficiaries)
• retirement benefits
• accommodation costs
• student financial support (via StudyLink)
• child-related benefits.

We provide employment and housing support and services by:

• connecting clients to employers and job opportunities
• upskilling clients through industry-based recruitment partnerships
• responding to local labour market conditions by working with local employers and industry partners
• supporting young people to gain the skills they need to work and have an independent future
• engaging with people on their eligibility and referring them to emergency, transitional and public housing.

We work with others to design and deliver community services, including:

• supporting victims, survivors and perpetrators of family violence and sexual violence
• growing leadership within communities to address family violence
• reducing the isolation, abuse and neglect of older people
• building people’s financial capability and resilience
• ensuring refugee and migrant communities can participate in local initiatives
• supporting community providers to further develop their capability.

We provide policy advice to Ministers on:

• employment support
• income support
• families and communities
• poverty
• child wellbeing and child poverty
• youth
• seniors
• international obligations
• disability issues
• welfare settings
• social sector issues.

We protect the integrity of the welfare system by:

• minimising errors, client debt and fraud in the welfare system
• managing the collection of overpayments and recoverable assistance loans.

We resolve claims of abuse and neglect for people who were under the supervision of, or in the care, custody or guardianship of, or who had come to the notice of, the State prior to 2008.

A comprehensive catalogue of the services we provide can be found in the Annual report PDF from page 235 (Appendix 1) - please see the PDF below.

We also:

• worked with Inland Revenue to deliver Working for Families tax credits to people on benefits

• monitored three Crown entities

• oversaw the management of the residual assets of the Families Commission (Superu) following its disestablishment on 30 June 2018

• participated in a wide range of cross-government initiatives, including:

  • chairing the Chief Executives’ Group on Disability Issues

  • co-leading two workstreams under the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy

  • contributing as a member of the Social Wellbeing Board, the Digital Government Leadership Group, the Government Health and Safety Lead, and the Joint Venture for Family Violence and Sexual Violence

  • hosting the cross-agency secretariat supporting the Welfare Expert Advisory Group

  • establishing a team to lead the development of a new independent children’s monitor

  • supporting place-based initiatives, including playing a lead role in the Tairāwhiti region

  • accrediting social service providers that are contracted by Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Corrections

• worked with Māori to:

  • develop a Māori Strategy and Action Plan, Te Pae Tata

  • reset and co-ordinate the Te Hiku Social Development and Wellbeing Accord

  • support the Tūhoe Service Management Plan

  • explore new partnership opportunities with iwi/hapū to be developed as part of Te Tiriti o Waitangi settlements

  • prevent and address issues of social harm and violence within whānau through E Tū Whānau, a Māori/Crown partnership initiative

  • support an internal Māori Reference Group to provide input into policies and practices impacting on Māori.

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