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Thousands more children are getting the help they need at school as the Government's record investment in learning support delivers real results, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, we invested three-quarters of a billion dollars in learning support, the largest investment in a generation. 2026 is the first year that investment takes effect, and already thousands more children are getting the support they need.
The Government has approved a third and final $820,000 round of the Survivor Support and Recognition Fund (SSRF) to support community-led services for survivors of abuse and neglect in care, with applications opening in February 2027. The SSRF, administered by the Department of Internal Affairs, was established in 2025 following recommendations from the Abuse in Care Royal Commission and has previously allocated $4.2 million to 68 organisations for survivor-focused initiatives such as healing, advocacy, and memorial projects. This final funding round aims to help organisations continue their survivor support services while seeking sustainable funding options.
A new peer-led Crisis Recovery Café, Te Piringa Āhuru ki Maungawhau, has opened in Mt Eden to provide faster, non-clinical mental health and addiction support through lived-experience peer workers. This initiative, led by Ember and part of a nationwide rollout, offers a safe, welcoming space without referral, helping connect people to community services and advocacy. Operating daily from midday to 8pm, it builds on the success of previous cafés in South Auckland and Kaitaia, enhancing crisis response and frontline support in the Northern Region.
The Government is supporting 22 NGOs through the third round of the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund to enhance faster access to support, increase frontline workers, and improve crisis response. The fund, which has supported 39 initiatives so far, enables community organisations to test new approaches and expand successful programs, including addiction recovery, youth crisis services, and integrated mental health care. Various organisations across New Zealand are receiving funding to deliver targeted mental health and addiction support services, aiming to provide earlier and more effective assistance to those in need.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund, managed by the Ministry of Justice, is allocating $14.587 million seized from criminals to nine initiatives aimed at reducing violence, preventing reoffending, and disrupting the drug trade in New Zealand. These initiatives focus on early intervention for at-risk youth, victim support, violence prevention, and enhancing Customs' drug detection capabilities. The funding reflects the government's commitment to exceeding targets for reducing violent crime victims and ensuring criminal proceeds are used to protect communities.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson have classified the extreme wet and cold conditions in Southland and the Clutha District as a medium-scale adverse event, unlocking up to $50,000 in support for local Rural Support Trusts and tax relief for affected farmers. The ongoing harsh weather, linked to El Niño, has severely impacted farmers during critical periods like calving and lambing, prompting coordinated efforts by MPI, regional councils, and farming organizations to provide assistance. Farmers and growers are encouraged to seek help through various support services, including the Rural Support Trust and MPI, with multiple contact numbers provided for immediate aid.
An independent review of mental health and addiction telehealth services revealed that while core safety systems are in place, many people face long wait times and inconsistent follow-up after referrals. In response, the government is expanding peer support hours, piloting proactive follow-up calls, establishing a dedicated 24/7 national suicide prevention crisis line, and considering a telehealth target to improve wait times. Recent investments of over $10 million aim to enhance service capacity and ensure timely, accessible support for those in need.
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey officially opened Ngā Moana e Rua, a new $27 million acute mental health facility at Te Nīkau Hospital in Greymouth, designed to provide a safe, therapeutic environment with modern amenities for inpatient care. This facility is part of the Mental Health Infrastructure Programme and reflects a shift towards faster access, improved frontline support, and better crisis response, with input from clinical teams, people with lived experience, and the community. West Coast mental health services are among the best-performing in the country, and the new unit aims to further enhance care while supporting earlier intervention to prevent inpatient admissions.
Disability Support Services legislation has passed its final reading in New Zealand Parliament, establishing a legal framework to improve support for disabled people and their families without changing current eligibility or entitlements. The legislation incorporates feedback from the disability community, clarifies the government's role in supporting families, ensures stronger consultation with disabled representatives, and aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Enabling Good Lives principles. The government has also committed $2.1 billion in additional funding and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance consistency, fairness, and sustainability in disability support.
Disability Support Services legislation, reflecting input from the disability community, was passed to provide a clearer, stronger legal framework that supports disabled people and their families while emphasizing choice, safety, and dignity. The law mandates formal consultation with disabled representatives, aligns with UNCRPD and Enabling Good Lives principles, and maintains current eligibility and entitlements without introducing new income or asset tests. The government has committed $2.1 billion in additional funding, improved service consistency and sustainability, and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance support.
The Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill, passed in Parliament, tightens eligibility for Jobseeker Support and adjusts the Accommodation Supplement to better target financial assistance. It requires 18- and 19-year-olds to meet the Parental Assistance Test before receiving benefits and increases the homeowner contribution threshold for housing subsidies from 30% to 40% of income. The legislation aims to reduce benefit dependency, encourage work, and ensures certain groups, like pension recipients, are exempt from the new Accommodation Supplement changes.
Community Job Coaching, launched in October 2025, has enrolled 4,000 young New Zealanders aged 18–24, providing up to 26 weeks of personalized employment coaching and ongoing support to help them secure sustainable jobs. The program, delivered across multiple regions and expanding to three more, aims to reduce youth reliance on welfare by offering tailored local support, contributing to the government’s goal of 50,000 fewer Jobseeker Support beneficiaries. With over 640 paid work activities and 290 individuals off benefits so far, the initiative focuses on breaking the cycle of long-term welfare dependency and promoting career pathways for young people.
The Social Services and Community Select Committee’s report on the Disability Support Services Bill includes amendments reflecting feedback from over 3,000 submitters, clarifying the Bill’s intent, reinforcing support for families, and ensuring disabled people have a stronger voice in decisions. The revised Bill aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Enabling Good Lives principles, providing a clear legal framework for Disability Support Services without changing current eligibility or entitlements. The Government has committed $2.1 billion in additional funding to improve consistency, fairness, and sustainability of services, with ongoing consultations planned for further improvements such as a carers’ package.
Education Minister Erica Stanford announced the expansion of the Early Intervention Specialist Service (EISS) to provide earlier, tailored support for more young children with high and complex developmental needs across New Zealand. From September, up to 1,000 EISS placements will be available nationwide through a mixed-market model involving both the Ministry of Education and alternate providers, increasing family choice and reducing wait times. This expansion, part of the Government’s Budget 2025 investment, aims to strengthen learning support, help children participate and progress, and ensure every child can reach their full potential.
The Government has launched an upgraded job search website, MyMSD Jobs, to better connect job seekers with employers using enhanced job matching technology and improved Jobseeker profiles. Over 94,000 clients have updated their profiles to access matched job opportunities, with more than 7,700 positions currently available, and positive feedback has been reported from users. Future improvements include a dedicated employer portal, as part of MSD’s broader transformation to provide more efficient services and support stronger, resilient communities.