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Leading Social Development

A PLAN FOR WAIKATO 2007/2008 Achieving Better Social Outcomes Together

I am pleased to introduce the Ministry’s 2007/2008 Regional Plan for the Waikato region. The Plan sets out our key priorities and how we will respond to the needs, challenges and opportunities for the region. It also sets the direction for all our service lines, including - for the first time - Child, Youth and Family.

We work with people in a lot of different ways and our work touches the lives of many people. We need to make sure that anyone accessing our services gets the help they need, when they need it. Regional Commissioners take a leadership role to ensure these services are well connected and accessible, and make a real difference to the people who live in our communities.

But we also need to work with other agencies. Strong relationships with central and local government, non-government organisations and community partners are critical to our success. Only by working closely with other agencies, can we provide our communities with tailored, accessible services that meet their needs. The Government has set three priority themes for the next decade: Families - Young and Old, Economic Transformation, and National Identity. Our work contributes to all of these – and to Families - Young and Old in particular.

Supporting families is one of our most important roles. We work to ensure that children get the best start in life, that everyone is safe from violence and abuse within the family and that older New Zealanders are supported to live in their community as they wish. By supporting parents and families in managing their lives and caring for each other, we can make a difference to all families both young and old.

Our ability to achieve these outcomes has been hugely strengthened by the inclusion of Child, Youth and Family within the Ministry.

Helping people into work and building the skills of our workforce are both critical to developing a high value economy and achieving economic transformation. With record low unemployment, we are well positioned to continue to enhance our services for all working-age1 clients and to work in partnership with industry to increase productivity in the workplace.

2007/2008 will be another big year for us. By working together, we can achieve these goals and make a real difference to the lives of people in the Waikato region!

Peter Hughes Chief Executive

1 Working-age clients are those aged between 18 to 64 years (inclusive). Opportunities for Action in the Waikato

Our region at a glance The Waikato region spans the upper central North Island. It extends from the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula to the harbour shores of Kawhia and Raglan. The Waikato River weaves through our landscape, with our regional boundaries reaching Te Kauwhata in the north and Te Kawa in the south.

There are 289,320 people living in our region, with 45% living in Hamilton City, which is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing urban areas2. The remaining population is spread across a distinct blend of coastal, rural and urban districts. The age and cultural diversity of each community is as unique as their geographical characteristics.

Waikato is well known for farming, and is now emerging at the forefront of industry, commerce, education and science. As we look forward, Hamilton’s V8 Supercar street race in 2008, the hosting of the annual National Waka Ama Championships at Karapiro and the 2010 World Rowing Championships will generate exposure within the sport and recreation domains.

The labour market and economy Our economy is largely made up of retail, agriculture and business services and contributes almost 20% of the country’s export trade. Our labour force is growing at a rate of 6.4% per year3, a welcome increase from previous years, with 69.3%4 of people engaged in the workforce at the end of March 2007.

The high levels of labour market participation mean skill shortages continue to be an issue for our region across all trades. Local industry partnerships help us respond to the skill shortages through tailoring an approach that meets the needs of key employers. Local industry partnerships also improve opportunities for people who are looking for work by initiating training in areas that directly reflect local industry needs.

We want to assist people into the right job based on their skills, experience and circumstances. The unemployment rate for Waikato was 4.1% at the end of March 2007, higher than the national average of 3.8%5. As unemployment figures decline, our regional focus will be on helping people overcome obstacles that may hinder or prevent them from entering the workforce such as ill health, disability and language barriers. We are improving our recruitment service and strengthening relationships with employers to create lasting employment opportunities for all people.

We are committed to working with the business sector, training providers and the community to assist our future workforce and the environment they will work in. Together, we will develop innovative programmes that are both responsive and forward-

2 Census of Population and Dwellings, Regional Summary, Census 2006, Statistics New Zealand. To reflect Work and income’s Waikato regional geographical area, population statistics include the Waikato, Thames Coromandel, Hauraki, Matamata/Piako, Waipa and Hamilton City districts. 3 Waikato University Regional Economic Bulletin, August 2006. 4 Household Labour Force Survey, 31 March 2007, Statistics New Zealand. 5 Ibid. thinking. It is acknowledged that employment remains key to improving quality of life and our approach will ensure better outcomes for all, creating stronger communities and supporting local economic and social development.

The role of the Ministry The Ministry of Social Development works collaboratively with key government and non- government agencies, community groups and local iwi to lead social development across the region.

We are guided by our Statement of Intent6 which has established an outcome framework that focuses on six high-level outcome areas - leading social development, children and young people, working-age people, older people, families and whānau, and communities, hapū and iwi.

Our service lines of Child, Youth and Family, Family and Community Services, Integrity Services, the Ministry of Youth Development, Senior Services, StudyLink and Work and Income adopt a collective focus to successfully contribute to these outcomes.

Our priorities, as we move forward, are linked to the Government’s three key priorities of Families - Young and Old, Economic Transformation and National Identity.

As the lead agency for Families - Young and Old, we are committed to ensuring families have the support, opportunities and choices they need to be secure and that they are able to reach their full potential.

Our people, our priorities People remain our number one priority. Waikato communities are diverse, each with their own specific needs and challenges. Though most are thriving, there are still pockets of people experiencing hardship, violence and poor health. This provides us with challenges as we strive to achieve a strong, healthy and safe society.

We have a relatively young population with 37% of our people aged 24 years and under, slightly above the national average of 36%. Hamilton City District is particularly youthful, with 41% of its people aged 24 years and under7.

This is contributed to by the University of Waikato and Wintec which attract students who come to study and experience the unique lifestyle our region can offer.

We need to develop skills and knowledge in our young people now, in order to create positive outcomes for the whole community in the future. In 2006, 25% of people living in the Waikato region aged 15 years and over held no formal qualifications8. This has the potential to limit their options for the future. We will ensure young people are able to make informed choices about their lives, with access to opportunities in employment, education and training.

6 Safe families, successful communities, strong New Zealand: Statement of Intent 2007/2008, Ministry of Social Development. 7 Census of Population and Dwellings, Census 2006, Statistics New Zealand. 8 Ibid. We also have a high number of teenage parents in our region compared to other areas of New Zealand. It is important these young parents continue to have access to education and life opportunities, and are supported to raise their children in a supportive caring environment to ensure that they have the best start in life. We will continue our work alongside key service providers and support networks to help young families achieve healthy and fulfilling lives.

In contrast to our generally youthful population, the Thames/Coromandel District is a desirable retirement location. People aged 65 years and over make up 21% of the District’s total population compared to the national average of 12%9. The older community raises the level of health issues we need to address and means that community services for this group need to be more active than in other parts of the region.

We celebrate the diversity within our communities. According to the 2006 Census, 71% of people living in the Waikato region considered they were of European ethnicity, 19% Māori, 3% Pacific peoples and 7% Other. There are people from at least 70 international groups living in Hamilton City, and this vibrant mix brings a kaleidoscope of cultures to our region. We recognise that new migrants and refugees can face a range of challenges when settling into the wider community, one of which is getting in touch with local services and information that will help in their settlement. We will continue to support the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre in providing and co-ordinating support and services to the new migrant and refugee community.

There is an emerging awareness of violence in the community among young people and families. During 2006, 6,298 women and children living in Hamilton were involved in Police-reported family violence incidents. This is an increase of 84% since 200110. We will continue to work closely with the New Zealand Police, Youth Justice and the community to build a more collaborative response to family violence within our region.

We must come together with the people, organisations and sectors in our communities to help our families both young and old, thrive and reach their potential. It is only through working in partnership that we will truly understand our region today, so that we can make an investment for tomorrow.

Testimonials

“As District Commander for the Waikato Police District and Chair of Intersect Waikato, I applaud the critical role being played by the Ministry of Social Development and other government and non-government agencies in addressing the range of real issues which are affecting our communities in the Waikato region”.

Kelvin Powell District Commander New Zealand Police Waikato

9 Census of Population and Dwellings, Census 2006, Statistics New Zealand. 10 Hamilton Pol400 Statistics - Hamilton Abuse Intervention Programme. Success Stories

Morrinsville Youth Development Group

The Morrinsville Youth Development Group was formed in 2006 to address community concerns around high levels of youth offending, and the lack of access to drug and alcohol counseling and mental health services.

Since its establishment, the Group has worked collectively to support the development of the town’s young people and is looking forward to implementing specific action plans that will see young people become more engaged and linked to the local community and schools.

On behalf of the Group, local youth advocacy and Māori health service provider Te Ahurei a Rangatahi undertook a stocktake of providers across the continuum of the youth sector. The stocktake resulted in a clearer picture of local youth issues and also highlighted existing youth development services from prevention and intervention, to treatment, and clinical services.

To support the stocktake, the Ministry of Youth Development worked with the Waikato District Health Board to produce a community profile which has prioritised key health issues affecting young people in the Matamata/Piako District. This provided the evidence-base to begin determining an action plan.

The next step is to involve the Morrinsville community in activities and events for young people, create youth-initiated projects and provide advocacy for service delivery and funding levels. Moving Forward

E ngā mana E ngā reo E ngā kārangaranga maha Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Ki a koutou ngā tētēkura kua wheturangitia haere, haere, haere, oti atu rā. Haere ki te tua o te ārai, haere, haere, moe mai rā. Huri noa ki a tātou te hunga ora, me kī, ngā kanohi kitea, Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. Ka nui aku mihi ki a koutou katoa, e hāpai nei, e tautoko nei, e kawe nei i ngā kaupapa whakahirahira o Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora. Na reira, e kī ana, “Mā pango, mā whero, ka oti ai te mahi”. Pai Mārire.

It is my pleasure to share with you the 2007/2008 Ministry’s Regional Plan for the Waikato region. This is an opportunity to highlight what we want to achieve in our region, and invite you to work with us as we respond to the challenges and needs of our people and communities.

Since the introduction of Child, Youth and Family into the Ministry, our regional relationship has grown from strength to strength. We will work together to ensure that our rangatahi are well cared for and protected at each stage of their lives. We will collaborate with other agencies to minimise the incidence of youth offending.

Across the Ministry, we are seizing the opportunities that present themselves in our region to help individuals and families become more independent and experience higher levels of wellbeing. Through providing avenues for people to attain a higher level of knowledge, enter lasting employment opportunities and lead a balanced, healthy lifestyle, we will help to strengthen the future of our communities.

A key priority, as we look forward, is to help Waikato families to live free from violence. We will continue to lead a dedicated approach among our government partners and community organisations to address the issues leading to and arising from family violence.

As Regional Commissioner for Social Development, I will continue to engage with our local councils, central government partners and across the community to ensure our work reaches the people who are most in need of our services.

I would like to acknowledge our staff and our many partners and stakeholders for their passion, professionalism and assistance in delivering our services. The work we do makes a huge difference in many people’s lives and each one of us can play an important role in making it happen.

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Te Rehia Papesch Regional Commissioner for Social Development Leading Social Development

Social Development in the Waikato region means adopting a collective focus across the Ministry and collaborating with other agencies to enhance employment, health, education and safety in the communities we serve. We are investing in people to succeed.

An evolving social picture The Social Report11 measures the quality of life for all New Zealanders across 10 domains, painting a picture of wellbeing at both a national and regional level. It is used to monitor trends and indicate areas of priority across New Zealand.

The 2006 Social Report highlights a number of positive outcomes for our region such as the number of Te Reo speaking people, which is reflective of our strong Māori communities and recognised educational facilities.

Our children are involved in sports and active leisure, although there is a need to boost adult participation in leisure and recreation activities. An increase in this area will benefit people’s physical and mental health, providing a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Sadly our region continues to have the highest number of road casualties causing death in the country, and this remains a priority for both central and local government.

Our work towards the Government’s three priority areas will continue to enhance social wellbeing in our region. We will continue to build upon the work we have already implemented, refining our approach and particularly focusing on Families - Young and Old which raises five sub-themes for attention.

We are leading the cross-agency response to two of the five sub-themes. The first being ‘Strong Families’ which means that families have the support and choices they need to be secure. We want families to be able to support their members to reach their full potential and will ensure that New Zealanders are supported if family care and support is not available to them.

We will continue to lead work to advance ‘Positive Ageing’ that will ensure older New Zealanders are able to live healthy, productive lives.

We will also contribute to the remaining three critical themes through collaboration with other agencies. These are: • healthy, confident kids • better health for all • strong and safe communities.

Each of the sub-themes highlighted are inter-connected, with the outcomes in one area impacting another.

11 The Social Report 2006, Ministry of Social Development. Connecting social and economic development Social and economic development go hand in hand. A better educated, healthier workforce is critical for economic growth, and we are becoming increasingly aware that improved social cohesion, less crime, affordable housing and a positive work-life balance also contribute to economic performance. In turn, a prosperous economy provides the resources needed to support the wellbeing of New Zealanders now and in the future. This makes economic growth vital to achieving and sustaining good social outcomes.

We want Waikato to be a strong and productive region and we are addressing key influences that can sometimes prevent our working-age population from joining the workforce. Through partnering with employers, industry and training organisations we aim to increase employment participation by ensuring people are appropriately skilled and qualified to meet the demands of our regional labour market. Together with economic development agencies, government partners, iwi and communities we will continue to invest in job opportunities that will support the individuals and families that make up our communities.

The Waikato Workforce Planning Project Advisory Group provides a focal point for agencies across all sectors to inform and discuss labour market issues in the Waikato region. As members of the Group, we maintain knowledge of the emerging trends and future needs of the Waikato economy. This enables us to recognise opportunities and respond effectively to challenges as they arise.

A collaborative approach Strong relationships with other central government agencies, non-government organisations, territorial authorities, employers, iwi and the community are crucial to our success in leading social development within our region. Everyone has a role to play in making our neighbourhoods safe, where people are healthy and have opportunities to achieve their potential.

We will continue to be active members of the Intersect Waikato Forum, a catalyst for collaboration across the region. This platform enables Chief Executives and Regional Managers of local and central government agencies to work together to respond to our region’s key issues.

The Ministry of Health’s ‘Healthy Eating, Healthy Action’ Strategy was endorsed by Intersect Waikato last year and is assisting communities to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce obesity for people in the Waikato. To support the Strategy we have launched the ‘Vibrant Living’ initiative in our Work and Income Dinsdale Service Centre which focuses on raising the community’s awareness about making healthy lifestyle choices. ‘The Great Little Cookbook’ and community cooking classes are now available for families to develop their life skills and learn about the benefits of making healthy eating choices.

We are an active member of the ‘Healthier Homes’ Steering Group, which was established late in 2006, consisting of Population Health, The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, the Huntly Energy Efficiency Trust, the Waikato Primary Health Organisation, WEL Energy and Housing New Zealand. We are working to address the health issues that can result from a lack of affordable and adequate housing for low- income families. Since January 2007, over 3,000 Waikato homes have become ‘healthier’ after receiving retro-fitting. The Steering Group will maintain an overview of these homes and the health of their occupants to accurately measure the success of the project. A stocktake of healthier homes will identify the levels of deprivation within the Waikato District Health Board geographical region which will support a targeted approach to improving the health of our families.

We work alongside communities through Local Services Mapping. This is a consultative and collaborative process that enables communities to identify their needs and raise awareness of what social services are available in their area. An action plan addressing the needs identified in the process sets out how the community, iwi and local and central government can work together to achieve the future the community wants.

Hauraki was the first of our districts to complete the Local Services Mapping process. The process titled ‘Better Futures Hauraki’ has not only increased the awareness of the great projects already happening in the community, but it has also brought social service providers together to work more collaboratively on improving the social wellbeing of the community. The Hauraki District Council and the Better Futures Hauraki Steering Group are looking forward to working together over the coming year to progress the key priorities identified for the district.

Hamilton City Council’s Social Wellbeing Strategy will enable agencies to support a healthier, stronger city. Increased delivery and co-ordination of services, amenities and resources will widen the avenues for people to get the support they need and become more active and involved in their community. A Local Services Mapping process for Hamilton City has been proposed to complement the aspirations of the Strategy’s steering group. We will help identify the priorities within the City and complete a stocktake of services available to support these priorities.

We continue to play a significant role in supporting the Waikato Community Outcomes Process, ‘Choosing Futures Waikato’. Our Social Development Manager is working together with Environment Waikato, local councils, central government agencies, community groups and other organisations to see how we can achieve the aspirations of the ‘Choosing Futures Waikato’ process which are: • a sustainable environment • quality of life • a sustainable economy • culture and identity • participation and equity.

One of the factors that can restrict people from engaging in their communities is fraud and debt. Our Integrity Services is adopting a joint approach with Pukete Neighbourhood House and other community organisations to help people become free from avoidable debt and fraud before it becomes entrenched in their lives. Through working in partnership with the community, we are continuing to build public trust and confidence in our services. It is important that our young people are given the opportunity to play a role in decision making that is going to affect them now and in years to come. Through the Ministry of Youth Development we are working with territorial authorities to support existing youth councils to develop and encourage further avenues for young people to actively participate in the response to issues affecting their communities. We are members of the Morrinsville Youth Development Group which also comprises the New Zealand Police, the Waikato District Health Board, the Matamata/Piako District Council and community and Māori providers to develop specific strategies that will improve employment, education and lifestyle outcomes for young people in the area. The Group will combine a social and youth development approach to enable young people to give voice to their ideas and concerns.

As members of the Hamilton Youth Offending team, we are working in collaboration with the New Zealand Police, the Ministry of Education, the Waikato District Health Board and Whai Marama Youth Connex to ensure better outcomes for young offenders and their families. The team is focused on supporting and building capacity in the Hamilton youth justice sector to prevent and respond to offending by children and young people.

This involves sharing appropriate information and co-ordinating responses to support effective referrals and practice and the facilitation of comprehensive and intensive interventions to serious young offenders. The Youth Offending team is continuing to create opportunities for early identification and intervention to promote the wellbeing of children, young people, their families and whānau. We will be supporting families during the early years of a child’s life, as well as providing opportunities to children and young people as they grow older.

Working across the Ministry The Waikato region’s Ministry of Social Development Governance Group, is chaired by our Regional Commissioner, and works to identify joint goals and find appropriate solutions to common issues across the region. Every door is the ‘right door’ and the Governance Group helps to unite our focus across the region and coordinate the delivery of our services.

It is important that the policy work we undertake across the Ministry is responsive to the opportunities and challenges facing our communities. Our Regional Policy Advisor acts as the liaison between our region and the national policy process that takes place in National Office. EPI-net is a web-based tool that has recently been created to ensure regional staff across the country have the ability to raise issues that are unique to each region. This is a vital link to ensure that policy remains current and aligned to the needs of our clients.

Our Integrity Services provides feedback to all parts of the Ministry to consolidate and safeguard operational practices that will ensure our clients receive their entitlements at the right time. The occurrence of error can place clients in undue hardship, having significant negative impacts on children, families and communities. By focusing strongly on preventing debt and integrity problems up-front we can achieve the biggest gains for our clients.

We have an ongoing Early Intervention programme that will assist us to reduce overpayments by educating clients on their responsibilities and encouraging them to voluntarily notify us of any change in their circumstances that may affect their benefit entitlement.

We are currently realigning our Debt Collection Units practices and programmes in order to add value to all our service lines. We have implemented debt strategies that will provide leadership on emerging Ministry initiatives whilst ensuring our approach to managing client debt issues is co-ordinated, efficient and effective.

Bringing social development into our centres We are building collaborative partnerships across all sectors to strengthen our services and adapt our approach to achieve the best possible results for all families, young and old.

Low-income families are often unable to afford regular dental care which results in long- term suffering and the need for emergency treatment. We recognise the affect poor oral health can have on a person’s self esteem. As a result it can impinge on their confidence to assert themselves in the labour market and stop them from achieving their full potential. We are working with the Waikato Primary Health Organisation to deliver our ‘100 Healthy Smiles’ campaign. Through the campaign we are aiming to help people who want to return to the workforce but are hindered by poor oral health. By investing in this campaign we will ensure improved health, welfare and employment outcomes for our communities as a whole.

We are working in partnership with our communities to bring monthly social development themes into our Work and Income service centres. This initiative is entitled ‘Themes and Dreams’ and will introduce monthly themes that respond to local issues that may affect families such as violence, health and parenting responsibilities. We want to help raise people’s awareness about issues that could affect them, their families or their neighbours. Through stakeholder and community consultation, priority issues for each area will be identified and highlighted in our service centres through visual communication and a series of workshops with members of the community as speakers. Participation will be community-owned and driven.

Through collaboration we will build on our ability to help strengthen families, reduce family violence, shape the future of youth, and support sustainable employment.

Testimonials

“Since the successful identification of Hauraki’s Community Outcomes, organisations such as Family and Community Services have captured the local community’s desire to improve its wellbeing”.

John Tregidga Mayor Hauraki District Council “Supporting Families Waikato values the good working relationship it has with Work and Income. We appreciate and strongly support the role of an experienced case manager being based at Waikato Hospital. Their support of people wanting to move back into part-time work, and the understanding and respect for those experiencing mental illness who, may not be able to work, is integral to those people in their recovery journey”.

Diane Law Practice Manager Supporting Families Waikato - Supporting Families in Mental Illness

“ Integrity Services’ debt strategy is a positive initiative that has been effective in developing our clients skills to manage and cope with their debts that can cause problems while they are trying to obtain employment”.

Ross Mackenzie Terrafirma Services

Success Stories

Te Kotahitanga

A move to ensure Huntly and Ngaruawahia homes are fire safe has seen fire safety advisors visit residents to identify and eliminate possible risks, and where needed, install smoke alarms.

The home fire safety initiative named ‘Te Kotahitanga’, was formed to address the issue of fire related fatalities and loss of property in certain communities. The New Zealand Fire Service determined that the majority of fire tragedies occurred in families where there were high levels of deprivation, in rural and isolated areas and especially among the elderly and disabled.

Four clients have been employed as fire safety advisors and a fifth as a Supervisor through Work and Income’s Taskforce Green wage subsidy employment programme. Taskforce Green benefits local communities through fixed-term community or environmental projects.

Kevin Holmes from the New Zealand Fire Service estimates that approximately 2,000 smoke alarms have been installed and says the community response is very positive.

‘Te Kotahitanga’ means partnership and collaboration, and describes the uniting of the New Zealand Fire Service, Work and Income, the Accident Compensation Corporation, Housing New Zealand, local iwi and the wider community. Ngaruawahia has a big heart

Ngaruawahia Service Centre staff recently got behind a National Heart Foundation awareness campaign.

They handed out stickers, brochures on healthy eating options, and heart-shaped balloons to children.

The Foundation is raising awareness of potentially fatal heart conditions, the risk of which can be minimised through adopting healthy lifestyles.

“It was a worthy cause, focusing on serious health issues, and making people aware of the risks of heart disease”, said Work Broker Lorraine Silbery-Mckinnon.

“Most of the hand outs were for kids, with balloons, stickers and cut-outs and it was a morning of warm fuzzy feelings”, she said. Helping our Children, Young People and Families Succeed

The Government’s priority of Families - Young and Old, ensures that all people have the support and choices they need to be secure and are able to reach their full potential throughout their lives. It combines social, economic, cultural and environmental development so all people can contribute to, and benefit from, the success of our country.

We will lead and participate in work that reinforces Families - Young and Old while also supporting the following desired outcomes, as set out in The 2006 Social Report. • People enjoy constructive relationships with others in their families, whānau, communities, iwi and workplaces. • Families and whānau support and nurture those in need of care and protection. • New Zealanders have access to an adequate income and decent, affordable housing that meets their needs. • An appropriate balance between paid work and other aspects of life is maintained.

We will focus on embracing our children, reducing violence in the home, helping families achieve, and developing our young people. We will build on existing collaborative initiatives based on the following four themes: • creating awareness, dialogue and action on issues central to strong families • investing in family strengths and community capacity • identifying and supporting families with needs • strengthening the support services environment to deliver more effective responses to family needs.

We will assist our families and communities to find their own answers, rather than forcing solutions or ideas upon them.

Our children, our treasures A child’s environment in their early years is important to the way they develop and emerge as young people and adults in society. Intervention during this time can improve their health, learning and ability to interact socially. We aim to support our children’s emotional development through reducing neglect and insecurity and fostering an environment where they can grow and flourish.

Helping to create safe and positive environments is at the core of our work involving children and we are investing in services that identify and support families with needs. Our aim is to help families deal with issues before they become entrenched, changing negative life paths by dealing with matters early in the life of the child or early in the life of the problem.

Our Family Start programme provides intensive, home-based support services for families with needs, to ensure their children have the best possible start in life. Some of the factors that may contribute to the need for support among families are young parents, a need for budget assistance, health issues of key family members, and a lack of adequate accommodation.

The programme supports families to be strong and resilient and able to provide for the wellbeing and protection of all their members. Families can voluntarily participate in the programme from six months prior to the birth of their child until the child is one year old. We currently have three Family Start programmes operating in the Waikato region based in Hamilton City and the Waikato and Hauraki Districts. The programme is progressing well with over 600 families receiving the support, enabling them to be healthier, safer and more independent.

SKIP (Strategies with Kids: Information for Parents) supports positive parenting for children, using love and nurturing to guide and teach them while setting boundaries for their behaviour. It celebrates parenting by acknowledging the skills that parents already have and providing practical resources and knowledge to build upon these skills. Our childcare co-ordinators are working with community organisations and early childhood education centres to promote the SKIP programme to families with children aged five and under.

We will continue to work across the government sector and within our communities to improve the health, education and safety of children and the families who raise them.

Building strong families There are times when all families face challenges, and in some cases they may need support to overcome pressures such as unemployment, debt, separation and everyday family demands.

We are applying a collaborative approach between local government and non- government agencies to support Waikato families to be strong, well informed and connected to their communities.

Our focus is on leading and co-ordinating preventative and early intervention services to improve outcomes for families. We will be working to strengthen the community sector that supports families through ensuring services are well coordinated, effective and accessible. This will enable people to lead healthy, productive lives with the confidence that care and support is available when they need it.

Strengthening Families involves agencies working together in a neutral forum alongside families to provide support and improve their opportunities to succeed. We have Strengthening Families co-ordinators working in Huntly, Ngaruawahia, Thames/Coromandel, Hauraki, Waihi, Hamilton and Matamata/Piako communities. The co-ordinators play a pivotal role in facilitating family wellbeing through ensuring that families are central to the decisions being made. We will continue to provide support and resources to these communities in the coming year so they can own and implement this initiative.

Some families have complex issues that can be too overwhelming to tackle on their own. Inter-generational benefit use, a high truancy rate, or transience can point to a family requiring additional assistance. We will ensure these families are connected to the services and support they need and expand on the work we currently do in order to provide a more intensive, cohesive form of support.

Through our national Integrated Service we are working with families to ensure they are getting all the support they need from social service agencies. Families we work with are assigned an Integrated Service Co-ordinator who provides intensive case management and draws together the services and expertise of all the relevant government and non- government agencies. We are also working alongside community leaders at a national level who will provide encouragement and support to families.

Opportunities for young parents We want to ensure our teenage parents have access to the support and opportunities they need to succeed in life as individuals and parents.

We will continue to support the Teen Parent Unit based at Hamilton’s Fraser High School to assist young parents to remain in education throughout pregnancy and parenthood. This holistic approach and supported environment has been paramount to the success of the Unit, with 37 enrolments at the end of March 2007.

Students participate in nutrition, planning and budgeting programmes in addition to subjects such as English, maths, legal studies, tourism, first aid, health, business, childcare, dance and media studies. The curriculum enables students to make choices about the future they want for themselves and their children.

Violence free homes Family violence can seriously compromise the wellbeing of our children and families. While most homes provide a nurtured and safe environment for their children to grow and develop, there are too many families caught up in a cycle of violence and abuse.

We are strengthening relationships across government and community groups to provide a co-ordinated response to violence in the home. As part of a collaborative approach with the New Zealand Police, the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Programme, Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women’s Refuge and the Hamilton Refuge Support Services, we are working to ensure early detection and effective intervention of domestic violence incidents. Community education and awareness around the elimination of family violence is also a high priority of the approach.

Our Family Violence Intervention Programme will continue to improve our response to this issue. Family violence response co-ordinators provide training and support to our staff to ensure we recognise, respond to, and refer cases of family violence appropriately. We will be working collaboratively with family support agencies, community groups and providers of children and family violence prevention programmes to build an effective support network for families experiencing violence.

Family violence can negatively affect our children’s personal growth and potential. Children who witness violence are more likely to experience feelings of sadness, confusion, anger, guilt, shame and worry. They can suffer from low self-esteem, become fearful for their own and others safety and blame themselves for the violence. In the coming year, we will implement the ‘Children and Young People’s Witnesses of Family Violence’ programme. There will be 45 full-time equivalent advocates appointed nationally over a three-year period.

One of the first positions to be confirmed is with CAPS (Child Abuse Prevention Services) Hauraki, where the advocate will work with children and young people who have been exposed to family violence.

The aim of the programme is to provide support and protect them from witnessing or experiencing further violence.

Since the merger with Child, Youth and Family, we have been able to intensify our approach to the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and their families. Together, we are improving our capability and providing more cohesive services to help those in need.

The Care and Protection Blueprint12 holds a vision of families, communities and government working together for the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and their families. We continue to explore partnerships that will enhance the lives of children and young people who are at risk of, or who have suffered from, abuse and neglect. Our aim is to build the strengths of families and communities to ensure that all children have the care and protection they need to keep them safe from harm. This includes investing in prevention and early intervention initiatives such as mentoring and therapy, work and life-skills programmes, truancy services and community education.

A primary focus of our work is attaining stability and permanency in the lives of children and young people who enter our care. We will establish Care Leadership Panels within each of our Waikato Child, Youth and Family sites to achieve safe, healthy and permanent outcomes for children and young people.

Working and raising a family A secure standard of living is crucial to creating a positive, healthy, and productive home. Our Working for Families package delivered in partnership with Inland Revenue continues to make it easier for more people to work and raise a family.

Working for Families Tax Credits are made up of four types of payments - a family tax credit, an in-work tax credit, a minimum family tax credit and a parental tax credit. People may qualify for one or more credits, depending on their personal situation. There is also help with childcare costs, and greater parental access to quality early childcare education for their children. Income limits have also been raised, meaning people can earn more and still receive assistance.

We will continue to promote the package as this additional financial support plays an integral role in helping families already in work or making the transition into the workforce.

Connecting with young people

12 Child, Youth and Family Care and Protection Blueprint 2003. The journey from adolescence to adulthood can be both an exciting and difficult time for young people. Some may face challenges in acquiring the knowledge, skills and self esteem that form the foundations of their adult lives. We are addressing these barriers so that young people can achieve their best. Our services are aimed at helping young people move successfully through their journey into adulthood, emerging with the confidence and ability to realise their full potential.

Youth Transition Services has expanded to the Waikato District, launching the Huntly, Ngaruawahia and Raglan Service in June 2007. We will continue to support this Service which aims to ensure that young people successfully transition from school to further education, training or employment. The Service encourages young people to develop their aspirations for the future and provide them with support to move down their chosen path.

Young people who are not engaged in their community have a heightened risk of making poor life choices. We want to reduce this risk by ensuring they all have access to education and training opportunities. The Kauri Centre acts as a satellite for Hamilton’s Fraser High School and offers an alternative option to students who for a variety of reasons are unable to attend mainstream schooling. This initiative between Child, Youth and Family, the New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Education has seen positive movements in the lives of its students.

Through the Ministry of Youth Development’s Services for Young People Fund13 we aim to purchase new and innovative services that promote effective cross-sector responses for young people who are not successfully progressing through the transition phase between adolescence and adulthood.

The Services for Young People Fund addresses the priority areas of: • young people in transition between education, training and employment • young people engaged in, or at risk of engaging in, low-level offending • young people experiencing limited life transition choices as a result of low levels of academic achievement and personal and social skills • young people engaged in harmful behaviours and actions.

We also support territorial authorities wishing to establish good youth development practices in their communities. Our Youth Development Partnership Fund will help to promote youth development opportunities for young people through local solutions and provide support to local projects that focus on outcomes for young people aged 12 to 24 years.

We will also contribute to better co-ordination of government and non-government services for young people and generate research or evaluate practical examples of youth development in action.

Encouraging a youth voice

13 For further information regarding the Fund and how to apply refer to www.myd.govt.nz. Through the Ministry of Youth Development we talk with, and listen directly to young people. This places us in the unique position of being able to inform government on ways to accommodate youth interests when developing or reviewing policies and services.

Our work is underpinned by the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa14 which promotes a country where young people are vibrant and optimistic through being supported and encouraged to take up challenges.

To make this vision a reality for our region, we will continue to work collaboratively across local government, the youth sector and our communities to increase the opportunities for young people to participate in decisions that affect them now and in the future.

The Thames Youth PhotoVoice Project presented young people’s views to the community and local council members through the use of photography and media in public displays during Youth Week in May 2007. The aim of the Project was to raise the awareness of current issues affecting young people through visual communication. The event helped to build relationships between the Thames/Coromandel District Council, the community and young people, and paved the way for future collaboration on youth issues.

The PROVOKE Network is a national project which aims to provide government and non-government agencies with a mechanism to engage with young people in decision making. It enables young people aged 13 to 21 years to have their voices heard no matter what part of the country they live in. The Network also provides opportunities and information to youth councils and advisory groups through a national networking facility.

Many of our territorial authorities are developing fresh ways to engage with young people and provide opportunities for youth participation in civic and community matters. The Hauraki District Council recognised that young people need to be involved in finding the best way forward. They facilitated a Youth Leadership Camp in April 2007, where youth leaders visited other youth advisory groups and youth councils to form youth participation and engagement recommendations for local councils.

We will continue to work with these authorities to support existing youth councils and support the establishment of further youth councils or other forms of youth participation. In 2007, we delivered a Youth and Local Government workshop to build collective youth development, best practice, policy development and youth engagement across the Waikato region.

New Zealand’s first Youth Parliament was held in 1994. The event was so successful that Cabinet invited the Minister of Youth Affairs to hold Youth Parliament every three years. Youth Parliament is a major event in July 2007, providing a unique opportunity for young people from each region to share their ideas and aspirations with Members of Parliament and key government decision-makers. Youth Members of Parliament will debate a piece of legislation, ask oral questions of current Cabinet Ministers, engage in a general debate and hold select committees of inquiry.

14 Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa, Ministry of Youth Affairs, January 2002. It aims to encourage enrolment and voting participation of young people and provide positive images of them as active citizens. It will also contribute to raising the profile and relevance of Parliament and government to young people.

Healthy lives for better futures By international standards, current research indicates that New Zealand’s 12 to 24 year olds have high rates of preventable illnesses which could be avoided by regular health checks and ‘youth-friendly’ health care. At this stage in their lives, the effects of behaviours such as drug use, binge drinking and unprotected sex can have life-long consequences.

The Youth 2007 Research project, will involve Waikato secondary schools participating in a national project that will provide a better picture of the health and wellbeing of our young people. The comprehensive data from this survey will provide a clear picture of their needs and inform how we can continue to expand the nature of our youth development projects to focus on all aspects of health and wellbeing.

We are contributing to the Waikato District Health Board review of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Addictions Plan which will apply youth participation in on- going health service development. We will be aiming to improve the access to, and uptake of, the health services required by young people.

We are developing a Youth Information Project in conjunction with the Hauraki District Council and a wider committee of non-government agencies, iwi and young people to improve the co-ordination of health and education services to young people.

We will work to reduce the rate and severity of re-offending by fully implementing the Youth Justice Capability Review. We will work with local communities and agencies such as the New Zealand Police, the Courts and iwi social services to bring together resources which will help young people develop an offending free future. We will achieve this by taking a community based, multi-disciplinary focus, and holding the young offenders to account for their actions.

We will continue to seek opportunities to strengthen young people’s self-esteem and resilience, personal development and achievement. We will foster initiatives leading to strong connections to family and community, improved health, reduced re-offending and pathways to further education, training or employment. We will do this through the services we fund and by working alongside other organisations. Testimonials

“SKIP is a great way for families to build upon the parenting skills they already have. The resources are amazing, the kids love the colourful pages - and they are practical for parents too. I know one family who now actually looks forward to doing the grocery shopping, where before it was more like a dreaded chore. I would love to see more initiatives like this”.

Marie Coombes Manager, The Nest Educare The Salvation Army Hamilton

“I am honoured to be an integral part of a successful team dedicated to ensuring teen parents have the opportunity to further their education. Witnessing the growing success of the Unit with increasing numbers of students successfully achieving their goals brings immeasurable satisfaction. Just as important is the transformation that students undergo in becoming practical caregivers for their children”.

Miriamai McBride Project Co-ordinator Teen Parent Unit

“ We are inspired by the Ministry of Youth Development’s incredible wealth of knowledge, expertise, vibrance and passion for their work. The insight into youth development and participation has been extremely valuable for the Waikato District Health Board and our long-term strategy in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Addictions Plan. We look forward to continuing work in this area”.

Paul Keesing Strategic Planner Planning and Funding Waikato District Health Board

“ The Kauri Centre is committed to many young people who are disengaged from learning by historical or sociological inequities, attitude and or circumstances. The excellent relationship between Child, Youth and Family and the Ministry of Education allows the Kauri Centre the opportunity to transform and support these young people as they find their place in mainstream education or the workplace”.

Anne Lumsden Director Kauri Centre

“The Ministry of Youth Development’s support has added value to our work at a local level and enhances what we can achieve within the youth sector. The knowledge and the ability to collaborate will continue and ultimately benefit our young people through practical advice and support. Our National Youth Workers Network has prioritised implementing the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa and anticipates the collective benefits of youth participation training held this year”.

Maraea Nikora Social Services Waikato

Success Stories

Kauri Centre

Hamilton’s Kauri Centre was established in 2004 as a local inter-agency initiative between Child, Youth and Family and the Ministry of Education (Central North region).

The Centre provides an educational environment for children in Child, Youth and Family care who, for a variety of reasons, are excluded from primary, intermediate or secondary school.

The young people who attended the Kauri Centre were originally enrolled with the Correspondence School of New Zealand and completed workbooks provided by them. After a period it was decided that the Centre would become part of a local secondary school and Hamilton’s Fraser High School agreed to have the Kauri Centre as a satellite campus.

Since the Kauri Centre commenced in 2004, over 50 children have attended the Centre.

The Centre is regarded as a pathway rather than a final destination. As teaching is tailored to the needs of each individual, many children and young people have progressed in a way that has led them to obtain employment, further training or the ability to be re-integrated into mainstream education. Some students have had significant learning disabilities which the stability of the Centre has counteracted by helping them gain confidence and improve their educational attainment levels before moving forward. Creating Opportunities for Working Age People

The best way for people to achieve quality of life is to be employed. Work offers more opportunities to individuals and improves their ability to create the lives they want for themselves and their families.

When we help people into work and build the skills of our workforce we ensure that our region is capable of sustaining our strong economic growth and through increasing participation in the labour market we can contribute to our overall economic transformation.

Our labour market is more competitive than ever. As our economy strengthens, we must ensure that our services are ready to keep pace with our region’s growing workforce. Due to the reduction in unemployment and the identified skill and labour shortages, we now need to shift from finding jobs for workers to finding workers for jobs. Our changing environment has altered the needs of both our clients and employers.

A new service approach In our region there are currently 2,29115 people receiving an unemployment-related benefit16, a reduction of 32% since 2006. There are 7,829 people receiving a domestic purposes-related benefit17, of which 91% are sole parents. Clients receiving a Sickness or Invalid’s Benefit make up 37% of our working-age benefit population.

Māori are over-represented on our registers when you compare our benefit numbers to the region’s total population, with Māori making up 41% of all working-age people receiving an unemployment-related benefit and 49% of working-age people receiving a domestic purposes-related benefit.

Most people want to work, and with the right support they can. Through our New Service Approach we provide a modern, flexible work-focused service that enables us to assess a client’s work needs right from the start and help them find employment faster. Rather than providing services based on the type of benefit a person receives, we support all people who are able to work, and those who cannot work now, but want to work in the future. We are building our services around each individual and focusing on the outcomes they can achieve. Our enhanced approach means that we can help more working-age people access opportunities to develop their skills and overcome barriers to achieving sustainable employment.

We know that people are more likely to remain in work when they get a job that ‘fits’. Our aim is to assist working-age people into the right job at the right time, right from the start.

15 All benefit statistics in this Regional Plan have been sourced from the Ministry of Social Development’s Information Analysis Platform as at 31 March 2007. Where comparisons are made, these reflect statistics as at 31 March 2006, unless otherwise stated. 16 An unemployment-related benefit includes an Unemployment Benefit and an Unemployment Benefit - Hardship. 17 A domestic purposes-related benefit comprises DPB Sole Parent, DPB Caring for the Sick or Infirm, DPB Woman Alone and Emergency Maintenance Allowance. We will improve the way we help people prepare for work, offering the level of support that is right for them and their families.

Working up-front Our Job Search Service complements the New Service Approach by providing an up- front service that focuses on re-attaching people to the workforce. It offers a variety of job-search assistance to people depending on the level of support they require. The Job Search Service is available to all clients receiving an unemployment-related benefit, and those looking for work through the Service. We offer a variety of assistance to clients, depending on the level of support they require. This may include: • undertaking a skill profile that will match their skills to job opportunities • participating in a WRK4U seminar which presents information about our local labour market and benefit eligibility responsibilities • attending a Planning and Assessment Module that assesses the level of job-search support the client requires • participating in group-based job-search activities where they have access to resources that will help them to secure a job.

Gaining experience, building knowledge For people who want to explore future work options, we provide opportunities to train and develop work skills in an employment environment. Work experience gives clients the opportunity to gain useful skills that employers are looking for, while gaining a valuable insight into potential career choices. We will support those who undertake work experience by developing formal agreements with employers. This short-term opportunity gives clients an increased chance of gaining lasting sustainable employment in the future.

Preparing people for work We recognise that it is harder for some people to enter the workforce. We are working collaboratively with employers, industry, training providers and community groups to increase opportunities for all working-age people within our community to find sustainable employment.

Refugee and migrant clients can find it difficult to gain employment when they have no New Zealand work experience or knowledge of our workplace practices. Some employers may be initially reluctant to take them on due to a lack of local referees or a validated work history.

We are committed to providing refugee and migrant clients with the opportunity to engage in the workforce and we will help them to identify and plan for wider job choices that will enhance their employment options. Our support will extend from the initial link into the labour market to offering follow-up support that will help maintain employment once it has been achieved.

The Hamilton City Migrant Expo in September 2007 will involve local migrant services, networks and businesses, providing a platform from which we will be able to reach those in the migrant community who may not have considered employment or study options. We will also maintain regular contact with the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre to promote our services and share experiences with clients to maximise job opportunities now and in the future.

For some people who experience ill health or disability, employment may not be an immediate option. We are committed to delivering a service that will support them now and improve their employment opportunities in the future.

In the Waikato region, there are 65,45718 people who identify as having some type of disability. Our work reinforces The New Zealand Disability Strategy19 to create a society that highly values and encourages full participation of people with a disability.

We are collaborating with Health Waikato, Workbridge, the Workwise Trust and other employment agencies to support people receiving a Sickness or Invalid’s Benefit to choose, attain and sustain employment that suits their current needs and abilities.

We have implemented the General Practitioner Referral Project to assist clients to identify and deal with issues that prevent them from returning to the workforce. General Practitioners discuss employment as an option with our clients and, if desired, refer them directly to the Workwise Trust who use a collaborative case management approach to initiate contact between clients and employment consultants.

The Project is client-focused and will provide support services in whatever setting the clients choose and encourages them to try new activities, such as employment and training.

Māori participation Huntly and Ngaruawahia communities continue to have a dis-proportionate number of unemployed Māori, representing 47% of all working-age people receiving an unemployment-related benefit in Huntly and 63% in Ngaruawahia. In addition, we recognise the inter-generational benefit dependency that is apparent within some whānau and we are working to address this issue.

We have implemented a regional Māori Employment Strategy to assist clients to develop further skills and ultimately secure meaningful employment. The Strategy will also act as an early intervention approach to minimise the likelihood of benefit dependency among Māori families.

We will be establishing a community presence within our service centres, inviting key community organisations to provide on-site services for Māori. Our focus is on investing in, and connecting the community, iwi and local businesses to create lasting employment opportunities in our region.

Prisoner re-integration The pathway to employment on release from prison can be difficult for many offenders who have little or no work experience. We want to strengthen opportunities for released offenders to attain sustainable employment, aiming to minimise the risk of re-offending.

18 Health Needs Assessment Analysis 2005, Waikato District Health Board. 19 The New Zealand Disability Strategy, Ministry of Health, 2001. We are working in partnership with Waikeria Prison to develop and implement effective employment and training initiatives for prisoners that directly respond to the skill and labour shortages in our region. We currently have two staff based at Waikeria Prison who will continue to help prisoners find work prior to their release.

Engaging with employers With the strong economy impacting on our labour market, it is crucial that we work collaboratively with employers to ensure we match our clients to their needs. We will continue to implement employer relationship agreements that focus on planning and managing employer accounts. For this to be effective we will create employer account profiles that summarise the nature of their business and recruitment needs, describing the way we will work with them at a local, regional and national level.

Current skill shortages in our region remain in the industry trades, such as building, construction and roofing. Addressing these skill shortages is central to achieving continued economic growth. Our local industry partnerships help key employers in the industry sector to reduce their labour shortages by providing people with skills-training that is relevant to their industry.

We establish what their current and future business needs are and equip our clients with the skills to match.

Our Waikato and Auckland Labour Market Development teams have been working closely with Spring Hill project managers and the Ngāti Naho Kaitiaki Society throughout the development and construction phase of the Spring Hill Correctional Facility, Hampton Downs, due to open in August 2007. We are working to establish an industry partnership to meet the demand for Public Prison Services Correction Officers. Our aim is for 10 to 12 people to participate in a six-week industry partnership training programme that will address all components of the Department of Corrections process, including first aid and physical fitness.

Our Labour Market Development team is reaching out to local groups who may be on the fringes of the labour market. We are investing in local areas to generate employment opportunities that will enhance the capacity of organisations to continue improving outcomes within our communities.

We will work in partnership with the Waikato seasonal solutions and the Department of Labour to address seasonal labour shortages in our region. The local horticulture industry largely produces apples, kiwifruit and blueberries, with job opportunities spread across the region in Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Paeroa and Waihi areas.

Our participation in the Department of Labour Roadshow, in April 2007 helped to inform local horticulture and viticulture employers about the new Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy, which will assist with labour shortages. We will continue to support these sectors by contributing to the establishment of an Employment Co-ordinator who will find suitable workers to fill the job vacancies in the 2007/2008 season.

A labour market shock is an industry related event that may have a significant impact on the national, regional or local labour market. These impacts may include staff redundancies and industry closures which in turn affect individuals, families and communities. Our Labour Market Development team in conjunction with our work brokers, actively gather labour market intelligence which allows them to identify potential labour market opportunities and shocks. When a labour market shock is identified, the team co- ordinates all relevant Ministry service lines to initiate an appropriate regional rapid response, including providing advice on best practices for declaring redundancies.

This co-ordinated response works with both the employers and employees. It can incorporate an on-site support facility and resource centre that will provide streamlined access to our information and services. Primarily our services aim to re-deploy affected staff to other employment opportunities, address individual barriers to employment and share information, advice and guidance on all aspects of the job-search process. This includes additional income support and employment assistance, where appropriate. Skills analysis or individual assessments for people help to identify potential training and development needs that will strengthen future employment linkages.

We want to ensure we are providing a fast, effective recruitment service to employers and jobz4u enables us to do this. This is an electronic matching tool that we use in our service centres and through our contact centre to match the needs of an employer against the skills and experience of our clients. The tool recognises what people can do, rather than what they cannot do, and provides the employer with a list of potential employees.

We are committed to understanding the needs of our employers so we can help people overcome challenges that disadvantage them in the labour market and provide people with the skills that employers need. It is through these ongoing partnerships with employers, training providers, industry and communities that we will continue to help people achieve sustainable employment.

Our contact centres - an evolving service Our contact centres play an integral role in our ability to support both clients and employers.

We can now make it easier for self-driven job seekers to find work. Job Search is a free telephone job-search tool for all New Zealanders seeking employment. It provides them with a dedicated telephone service so they can enquire about job opportunities. Through Job Search we will be able to open up our vacancies to more people and market Work and Income as a recruitment service.

Our enhanced Employer Line for employers, Employers Services, will provide a contact point for employers to easily access information on our services and register job vacancies through our contact centres. We now have the technology and capability to carry out targeted outbound calling to job seeking clients which will further enhance our service. The improvements in Employer Services will mean we can open our services to more employers and provide a seamless, faster end-to-end service for them both within our region and across the country.

Investing in education A highly skilled workforce is an essential foundation for the economic and social wellbeing of our people and communities. Through training and education, people can obtain the skills and knowledge needed to enhance their employment opportunities and potential earnings.

Through our Hamilton StudyLink Outreach centre, we support students from the time they decide to study through to their connection into the workforce, supporting outcomes in both social development and education.

With the level of investment in tertiary education and the many choices available, students can feel overwhelmed when making the best choice for their future. We play a vital role in ensuring that students receive all the information they need to make an informed decision about what is right for them. Our StudyLink On Course programme has just completed its first year in delivering information and support to young people in our schools who are considering their study options. Feedback shows that it has been a real ‘hit’ and we will continue to enhance our delivery of this programme to identify further study opportunities and establish stronger links to other agencies.

It is important that students are financially able to undertake and complete their studies with a manageable level of debt. We will ensure that all students receive the financial support they are entitled to and make it as easy as possible for them to access our services. Our Apply Early strategy encourages school leavers to make their application for student finance while they are still in school. During November and December 2007, we will visit secondary schools in our region to assist Year-13 students who are entering tertiary education with their online applications. We also actively promote our online facilities in the Hamilton StudyLink Outreach centre and have increased capability within our University Campus Site.

We will continue to promote education as a pathway to enhancing future employment opportunities for people receiving a benefit. Monthly seminars will provide people with information about what their study options are and what support is available if they choose to undertake tertiary education.

Our support to students at key transition points includes helping them find employment while they are studying. We will continue to work closely with Student Job Search to maximise opportunities for students to gain summer employment. This includes placement of job boards in our Hamilton Outreach Centre that promote both current Student Job Search and Work and Income vacancies.

The tertiary education sector is committed to creating the skills and knowledge needed for a thriving economy. We will reinforce this by working alongside education providers and communities to ensure that tertiary education is available and accessible to all people and students who are completing their studies. Testimonials

“ Through the partnership arrangement between education, training, business and industry, all parties are proactively working together to ensure the future workforce is available and suitably equipped to ensure real jobs are available in the future to employees across a wide range of business and industry sectors”.

Russell Drake Project Manager The Katolyst Group

“The industry is continually recruiting students from the academy (Equine Education). The students have a reputation for being professional and taking great pride in their work with their horses”.

Dinah Booth Course Manager Waikato Equine Education Trust

“ Wintec’s one-stop-shop philosophy for students was enhanced this year with StudyLink providing on-site staff to assist with tertiary finance information and advice during their peak enrolment periods. The location of the StudyLink site within the enrolment centre itself also allowed Wintec staff to broaden their knowledge around Student Loan and Allowance entitlements”.

Erin Staples Team Leader Wintec Enrolment Centre

Success Stories

“Work makes me part of New Zealand”

Kyaw Htay (Joe) and his wife Kyi Kyi Tway arrived in New Zealand from Myanmar (formerly Burma) under the family reunification category.

After a period of unemployment, Joe was referred by his case manager to the Georgina Graham International Kiwi Work Experience Service, which provided him with knowledge of New Zealand workplace practices. On completion of the programme, Joe was successful in securing employment as a box maker with Carter Holt Harvey, initially as a temporary worker, and later as a permanent employee.

Joe says working keeps him healthy and fit. “I’m very grateful for the support I received from Work and Income and Carter Holt Harvey”.

Transforming passion into profit

Sole parent Julie Oliver spent many years caring for her autistic son and was not able to indulge in her passion for art.

Once her son left home and became independent, Julie discovered she could again concentrate on her talent.

Through Work and Income’s Pathways to Arts and Cultural Employment (PACE) initiative, Julie was able to form networks within the arts community and build upon support networks that could help her achieve her goal of self employment. PACE assists clients to pursue a career in the arts and creative industries and move towards sustainable employment and self-sufficiency.

Julie discussed a few ideas with Steve Murray from the Business Development Centre and was encouraged to attend a ‘Be Your Own Boss’ course.

“One of the scariest things about being self employed is letting go of the security of receiving a benefit. One of the most valuable aspects of attending the Be Your Own Boss course was the mentoring I received while I started up my business”, said Julie.

Julie paints saw blades for sale in museums and antique shops. This unique artwork provides an income which allows her to focus on commissioned work and fine art.

Julie’s dream is to host an exhibition of her art work by the end of this year and is working hard to turn her dream into a reality.

Making it easier for students

StudyLink staff have visited almost all Waikato secondary schools to promote the On Course programme to Year-12 and 13 students. The programme provides an insight into the realities of student life. It includes students talking about their own experiences and the various funding options available through StudyLink.

First-year Wintec student George Edmonds is studying towards a Certificate in Sports Studies. George attended an On Course presentation while he was at secondary school. After viewing the presentation, George chose to work for awhile and save some money which he has used towards his course fees, resulting in a smaller Student Loan.

Cleaning her way to success

A passion for cleaning has led Natasha Fuller on a new career path.

After a period receiving a Domestic Purposes Benefit, the Cambridge mother of two approached Work and Income with an idea she had for self employment. Natasha was referred to a Self Employment Seminar conducted by Work Broker Lance Taylor, and so the journey to self employment began.

Natasha was supported by Lance to set up her business through a Work and Income Enterprise Allowance Subsidy and Enterprise Allowance Grant. To be eligible for either payment, clients are expected to prepare a business plan which is then independently assessed. It is also expected that the client will eventually support themselves through their business.

In order to develop the business plan and ensure her business idea was sustainable, Natasha was referred to a ‘Be Your Own Boss’ course. “There were a lot of like- minded people on the course who also wanted to start their own businesses. It motivated me to succeed”, said Natasha.

Natasha’s Versatile Home Service was established in November 2006 and undertakes a variety of cleaning services including home and commercial cleaning and gardening. Enhancing the Wellbeing of Older People - Today and Tomorrow

We embrace the wealth of knowledge and experience that older people bring to our region. They are valued members of our families and it is important that we celebrate their lives by providing opportunities for them to retain their independence and participate in our communities in the way that they choose. As the lead agency for Positive Ageing under the Government’s priority of Families - Young and Old, we will ensure that older New Zealanders are: • able to function, participate and live independently or appropriately in society, and have an adequate standard of living • well placed to participate fully in society and can exercise choices about how to live their lives.

Our focus aligns to the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy20 which highlights 10 principles that are central to improving the wellbeing of people in their later years.

There are 36,741 people living in our region who are aged 65 years and over, making up 13% of our total population, just above the national average of 12%. The Thames/Coromandel District has a significantly older community with 21% of people aged over 65. Our Māori communities are slightly younger with only 4% of people aged 65 and over21. Current predictions suggest that by 2026 over 21% of our region will be in this age bracket22. This growth will have an impact on how we provide services now and in the future.

Empowering our older community We will empower older people to make choices that will enable them to live the life they choose. KIN (Keeping Independent Now) seminars help older people maintain their independence through support and by providing information about the assistance they can access in their community. We will partner with the New Zealand Police, Housing New Zealand, the Waikato District Health Board, local councils and community agencies during the coming year to host seminars for the older communities of Hamilton and Te Awamutu.

There are 37,838 people receiving New Zealand Superannuation in our region, making them the largest group of people that we work with. Making sure older people receive the right information when they need it is a key focus.

We will ensure that the older people in our rural areas are living with confidence and are provided with effective responses to their specific needs. We deliver a fortnightly off-site service to New Zealand Superannuitants from the Raglan Community Centre to support them. Through meeting with older people in their own community, we are removing barriers to accessing our services such as travel, and the associated costs of travel.

20 The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy: Towards a Society for all Ages, Ministry of Social Policy, April 2001. 21 Census of Population and Dwellings, Census 2006, Statistics New Zealand. 22 Subnational Population Projections: 2001-2026, Statistics New Zealand. As active members of the Waikato Migrant and Refugee Forum we support older migrants and refugees to ensure they receive co-ordinated and responsive case management services.

It is important that the services needed by older people are provided in the ways that they need. Our Hamilton Super Centre works alongside Age Concern to facilitate services to older people within the Hamilton area. The partnership builds on support we would not be able to offer alone, and responds with budget advice, health and general advocacy.

A priority in the coming year is to work closely with Age Concern and other community organisations to investigate the issues around elder abuse. Factors may include physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, financial abuse, also known as material or property abuse and neglect. We will be seeking effective ways to reduce and respond to situations where abuse is taking place, establishing intervention strategies to protect the welfare of the older person.

We attend monthly Age Wise Network meetings to discuss issues that affect older people in our Thames/Coromandel District. The Network ensures community and government agencies join together to provide an effective, holistic approach to ensure older people receive the support they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Rauawaawa Charitable Trust’s Kaumātua Services offers a range of activities that recognise the diversity among older people and encourages participation within their family, whānau and community. They deliver programmes that include floral art, low- impact exercise, cloak making, fl ax weaving, low-maintenance gardening and computer training. We join the Waikato District Health Board, community health agencies, the Hamilton City Council and Housing New Zealand in regular visits to the Trust’s Kaumātua Services to provide information about how we can assist older people.

Our region’s current skill and labour shortages and strong economy present even more opportunities for older people to work. An increasing number of older people are choosing not to retire at 65, preferring to remain in either paid or voluntary work. It is important that we help them to realise their employment goals, and we will be partnering with training organisations and employers to identify suitable job opportunities and reduce the skills gaps among older workers.

Our Senior Services group includes International Services, the Card Centre, and War Pension Services. Through International Services, we administer New Zealand pension entitlements for eligible people living overseas, and for people living in New Zealand who receive an overseas pension.

War Pension Services administer the payment of War Disablement, Veterans and Surviving Spouse Pensions. War Pension Services also administers the payment of medical and treatment costs incurred by war disablement pensioners as well as a number of social security and supplementary payments to war veterans and surviving spouses. Commemorating our veterans In 2006, War Pension Services attended the Royal New Zealand Returned Servicemen’s Association National Conference in Wellington, where we presented information to their welfare officers. War Pension Services continues to seek opportunities to raise awareness and provide information about entitlements. In April 2007 we were given the opportunity for a second time to send a staff member to Gallipoli to assist the Secretary for War Pensions and the Director of Veterans’ Affairs with commemorations on ANZAC Day.

Accessing health services We are able to help people access affordable health services through our administration of the Community Services Card on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The Community Services Card enables people on low- to middle-incomes, or those receiving income- related support, to obtain subsidies on doctor’s fees and prescriptions, and to access secondary health services from public hospitals. We will continue to focus on ensuring that people who require, or are eligible for a card, apply for one.

The SuperGold Card In the latter part of 2007, we will be introducing the SuperGold Card. The Card is a government initiative which recognises the contribution that older people have made, and continue to make, to New Zealand. SuperGold Card holders can access commercial discounts on everyday goods and services from participating businesses, and concessions on central government and local authority services. As it also effectively replaces the Community Services Card (for those aged 65 and over) and the Super Card - older people who currently hold these cards will be able to access their entitlements through the SuperGold Card.

People who currently receive New Zealand Superannuation or a Veterans Pension will automatically receive their SuperGold Card, other residents aged 65 and over will qualify, but will need to apply.

It is important that our older people feel secure, valued and included in our communities. We help to achieve this by building strong relationships across the government and non- government sector and applying a whole-of-community approach to celebrating their lives.

Success Stories

War Pension Services represented at Gallipoli

War Pensions Officer Trish Bennetto travelled to Turkey in April this year to take part in the ANZAC commemorations at Gallipoli.

The trip was the result of an invitation by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) for one of our War Pensions staff to attend. Trish accompanied the Secretary for War Pensions/ Director of Veterans’ Affairs and other officials to provide hosting and administrative duties. Trish was part of the host team and undertook duties such as directing and guiding visitors to seats, allocating information packs and assisting attendees who were frail or mobility impaired. It is estimated that over 10,000 people visited the New Zealand services.

“ Both my grandfathers served in World War I. One was a mounted rifleman who served in Palestine and Israel, and the other was a private in the front-line trenches. He was gassed and survived, only to return to New Zealand to die at a young age”, Trish said.

“While in Gallipoli I learnt about the real horrors of war and developed empathy for current veterans who may suffer from physical and psychological disabilities. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and one that I’m very grateful for. It wouldn’t have been possible if the opportunity hadn’t been extended by VANZ”. Partnering with our Communities

Community life makes an important contribution to the social wellbeing of individuals, families and whānau. We will continue to support community organisations through partnerships, development projects and providing information and research.

We support families and communities to be strong, well-informed and connected with each other. Central to our success is building collaborative linkages between government and non-government services to help community services become more effective in their support for families.

Everyone benefits - agencies are not duplicating each others work and communities are aware of the important issues in their area that need addressing.

Connecting community services Our region is committed to ensuring community-based services are well co-ordinated, effective and accessible. We will continue to work with social service providers on the diverse range of issues affecting families in our region, to promote positive social outcomes.

Wahid Whiney Trust is a community-based organisation that has grown from humble beginnings to become a strategic hub for providing services in the Huntly area. The Trust provides services such as our Family Start programme, social workers in schools and the Family Service Centre.

Through delivering a co-ordinated, cohesive service they address multiple issues across the sectors of health, education, justice and social services.

The Trust is also one of our community-based organisations along with the Waihi Resource Centre, CAPS (Child Abuse Prevention Services) Hauraki, Te Kohao Health, Te Hauora o Ngāti Haua and the Ngaruawahia Community Resource Centre that undertake a host role for Strengthening Families coordinators and Local Management Groups. These organisations will work with the newly formed Regional Governance Groups for Strengthening Families to support initiatives that raise the levels of family wellbeing and resilience in their communities.

Heartland Services act as a one-stop-shop to improve access to information and services in our rural communities. Our newest Heartland Service Centre is hosted by the Coromandel Independent Living Trust, and combines the Human Rights Commission, the Accident Compensation Corporation, Work and Income, Te Puni Kōkiri, the Tertiary Education Commission, the Ministry of Education, Career Services rapuara, territorial authorities, and Strengthening Families co-ordinators, to provide a cohesive and effective service to the people of Coromandel.

We chair the Welfare Advisory Group, which works to ensure the delivery of welfare services is planned and co-ordinated in the event of an emergency in the Waikato region. Together, with the Hamilton City Council Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, we will help co-ordinate government and community responses, resources and processes to communities in need, following an emergency. A safer community We recognise that the capability of community-owned and driven organisations are central to our success in eliminating family violence from our communities. A major focus of our response to family violence is that people receive effective support at the time they need it. This includes crisis, post-crisis and prevention services.

We have implemented a Service Protocol Agreement with Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women’s Refuge and Hamilton Refuge and Support Services that recognises our shared priorities for the safety of all families at risk of experiencing family violence. Refuge volunteers play a crucial role in responding to family violence incidents.

They are available 24 hours a day to ensure the safety of women and children, and continue to provide advocacy and support based on the individual needs of each family. The agreement reinforces our commitment to deliver an effective, supportive and professional service to our mutual clients and promote education and awareness of the impacts of family violence at all levels of the community.

Without the dedication of volunteers, our region would lose this vital connection between families, communities and government services.

Unlocking potential Communities, hapū and iwi have an abundance of unrealised resources, skills and assets. Unlocking this potential is vital to community development to ensure that communities are able to achieve the social, economic and cultural futures they desire.

Through Enterprising Communities Grants we support non-profit organisations to develop and grow community-owned businesses that will generate assets and employment opportunities to directly address the needs of the local community and economy. Our projects benefit communities and the people within them by creating local employment opportunities for those who are finding it hard to get work.

We will continue to support the Raglan Community Arts Council in the development of the Old School Arts Centre in Raglan. The Council aims to foster and nurture artistic talent in the community and promote the Old School Arts Centre as a major local tourist attraction at the heart of the arts scene in Raglan and Whaingaroa. Up to 12 local artists will become self-employed as a result of this rural initiative.

The North Waikato Victim Support Cadet programme will help increase employment whilst benefiting the Huntly and Ngaruawahia communities. The programme targets sole parents looking to re-join or enter the workforce, possibly for the first time, with an interest in developing a career within the social services sector. It is intended that the programme will provide a pathway for cadets who are keen to further their education and practical experience with the intent of eventually working with people who require victim support services.

We are supporting Ngāti Maru Ki Hauraki Incorporated to protect the natural flora of our region. They will lead a team of pest control workers to reduce the number of goats and possums in the Thames/Coromandel District. This project will not only generate employment but it will also ensure an improved environment for the wider community. Investing in our communities will ensure that we retain the culture and heritage of our region as we continue to move forward.

Testimonials

“ Recent changes to the Civil Defence Emergency Management Legislation have prompted a much improved level of understanding of the role of the Ministry of Social Development in civil defence emergencies. The Ministry holds a leadership role in various groups across the country including the Waikato region, with a focus on meeting the welfare needs of those affected by an emergency both during the response and recovery phases, incorporating all aspects of planning”.

Graeme Cleaver Emergency Management Officer Hamilton City Council

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