Articles tagged with Support
Showing 15 of 102 articles
More Choice and Control for Disabled People’s Flexible Funding from April 2026
09 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 946 viewsFrom April 2026, disabled people will have greater choice and control over their flexible funding without changes to their current budget allocations, as purchasing rules will be removed while still requiring spending to align with individual plans. These changes follow successful efforts since 2024 to stabilize the disability support system, including strengthened financial controls, improved needs assessments, and significant new funding to ensure sustainability and consistency. Support will be provided to help individuals manage their budgets, with some high-cost or specific purchases requiring pre-approval, reflecting feedback from the disability community and recommendations from the 2024 Independent Review.
Tags: Louise Upston disability support flexible funding Independent Review 2024 DSS NASCs Enabling Good Lives Budget 2025 residential care carersMSD Traffic Light System Boosts Jobseeker Responsibility and Employment Outcomes
02 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 1050 viewsAn evaluation of New Zealand's traffic light system, introduced in August 2024, shows that 90% of MSD clients find it helpful for understanding their job search obligations, with nearly 99% fulfilling these responsibilities and a 10.6% decrease in sanctions. The system aims to reset welfare expectations, incentivize employment over dependency, and is supported by increased frontline services, job coaching, and incentives like a $1000 bonus for young people securing and maintaining work. The government remains committed to reducing Jobseeker Support recipients by 50,000 by 2030 through a fair, firm, and simple welfare approach that helps jobseekers be proactive and seize employment opportunities.
Tags: Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD Government traffic light system welfare system Jobseeker Support New Zealand employment social developmentACC Achieves Best Rehabilitation Results in a Decade, Helping Kiwis Return to Work Faster
26 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 962 viewsNew Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has achieved its strongest rehabilitation performance in over a decade, reducing the growth rate of long-term claims and helping injured New Zealanders return to work and independence faster. This improvement follows a government-mandated Turnaround Plan focused on client-centered care, lasting recovery, and organizational reset, reversing previous increases in long-term claim growth under the Labour government. While progress is evident in the latest public report, the government acknowledges more work is needed to ensure consistent support for claimants and build a better future.
Tags: New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation ACC Scott Simpson rehabilitation Turnaround Plan return to work Letter of Expectations injury supportGovernment Declares Medium-Scale Weather Event, Unlocks Support for Farmers
26 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1045 viewsThe Government has classified recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury as medium-scale adverse events, unlocking additional support for affected farmers and growers. This support includes tax relief, Rural Assistance Payments, and activation of Enhanced Taskforce Green, with the Ministry for Primary Industries conducting on-farm assessments to identify those most in need. Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson urges farmers and growers to seek help through the Rural Support Trust for ongoing recovery efforts.
Tags: Todd McClay Mark Patterson Ministry of Social Development Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Support Trust Bay of Plenty Canterbury Enhanced Taskforce Green Agriculture MinisterNew National Approach Streamlines Disability Support Services for All
09 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1007 viewsA new nationally consistent approach to Disability Support Services (DSS) will standardize needs assessments and support allocations across New Zealand, ensuring fairness regardless of location. This change, informed by extensive consultation, includes personalized funding plans, consideration of families and carers, and greater choice for about 38,500 people with flexible funding. These improvements aim to simplify processes, enhance wellbeing, and provide a stable foundation for strengthening the disability support system long-term.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services NASC Enabling Good Lives Independent Review My DSS families carers disabled people flexible fundingNew National Approach Improves Disability Support Services for All
09 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1043 viewsA new nationally consistent approach to Disability Support Services (DSS) will standardize needs assessment and support allocation across New Zealand, ensuring fairness regardless of location. This includes personalized funding plans, consideration of families and carers in assessments, and greater choice and control for around 38,500 people with flexible funding. The changes, informed by extensive consultation, aim to simplify processes, improve wellbeing, and provide a stable foundation for the disability support system's future.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services NASCs Enabling Good Lives Independent Review My DSS Minister for Disability Issues disability community families and carers flexible fundingNew Collective Agreement Boosts Pay and Career Growth for NZ Psychologists
05 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1067 viewsHealth Ministers Simeon Brown and Matt Doocey have welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 670 psychologists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by APEX members. The agreement includes pay increases of 2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second year, along with expanded professional development opportunities and a new salary step for senior expertise. This agreement aims to provide greater workforce certainty and support psychologists in delivering quality mental health care to patients nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey Health New Zealand psychologists APEX collective agreement mental health pay increases professional pathways workforce supportBudget 2025 Boosts Learning Support with $746M Investment for NZ Schools
03 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1076 viewsThe Government is implementing its Budget 2025 plan by investing $746.7 million to enhance learning support in schools, benefiting hundreds of thousands of students nationwide. Key initiatives include hiring Learning Support Coordinators, expanding the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme, increasing Early Intervention Services, and funding additional Teacher Aide hours, alongside structured literacy and maths intervention programs. To ensure effectiveness, an induction program for Learning Support Coordinators is being launched to provide consistent training and maximize their impact on student achievement.
Tags: Erica Stanford Budget 2025 Learning Support Coordinators Early Intervention Services Teacher Aide Hours Ongoing Resourcing Scheme Ministry of Education Structured Literacy Maths Intervention Education MinisterGovernment-Funded Driver Licence Training Boosts Job Opportunities in New Zealand
02 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1094 viewsThe Government-funded Driver Licence Support programme in New Zealand is exceeding targets, with over 21,000 enrolments and more than 34,000 licences issued since 2023, helping job seekers gain essential driving skills. Having a driver licence is crucial for about 70% of jobs, enabling individuals to secure employment, support their families, and achieve independence, as illustrated by success stories like a young woman obtaining a traffic management job. The programme, with an 82% pass rate and significant youth participation, contributes to safer, stronger communities by improving employment opportunities and mobility.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Driver Licence Support MSD Jobseeker Support Fulton Hogan Social Development Employment Driver Licence YouthNew National Reporting System Gives Parents Clearer Insight Into Student Progress
02 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1106 viewsIn 2026, New Zealand will implement a nationally consistent assessment and reporting system in primary and intermediate schools to provide parents with clearer, comparable information on their children's progress in reading, writing, and maths. This new framework includes twice-yearly progress check-ins supported by the SMART monitoring tool and replaces a system over 20 years old, addressing long-standing concerns from educational experts about inconsistent reporting. Alongside these changes, the government is enhancing support services such as structured literacy and maths interventions to help students early and improve overall achievement.
Tags: Erica Stanford Education Review Office New Zealand Assessment Institute SMART tool Ministry of Education principals’ associations teachers structured literacy learning support coordinators teacher aideNew Day Specialist Schools Open in NZ for Children with Complex Needs by 2028
29 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1111 viewsThe New Zealand Government is establishing two new day specialist schools in Palmerston North and South Auckland by 2027-2028 to support children with high and complex needs, marking the first such development in nearly 50 years. This initiative addresses long-standing demand for specialist education, expanding the total number of specialist schools to 29 and providing families with more tailored learning options. Funded through recent budgets, the schools will feature purpose-built, accessible facilities designed to foster inclusion and help students unlock their potential.
Tags: Erica Stanford Nicola Willis New Zealand specialist schools education high and complex needs Palmerston North South Auckland Government learning supportGovernment Boosts $200K Support for Farmers Affected by Severe Weather
27 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1051 viewsThe Government is increasing support for farmers and growers affected by severe weather, providing an additional $200,000 to Rural Support Trusts in impacted regions. Ministry for Primary Industries staff are working with sector groups to identify where aid is most needed, complementing the $2.2 million previously announced for Mayoral Relief Funds and marae welfare reimbursements. Farmers and growers seeking help are encouraged to contact the Rural Support Trust for assistance.
Tags: Todd McClay Mark Patterson Christopher Luxon Government Rural Support Trust Ministry for Primary Industries farmers growers Northland Bay of PlentyFarmers Urged to Stay Safe Amid Severe Weather Warnings and Support Available
21 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1306 viewsAgriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay urges farmers and growers to stay informed about severe weather warnings and seek support if needed, as heavy rain and strong wind alerts affect many regions. The Ministry for Primary Industries is actively monitoring the situation, coordinating with emergency groups, and providing on-ground assistance while advising people to prioritize safety and avoid floodwaters. A precautionary state of emergency has been declared in Whangārei, and those needing help are encouraged to contact the Rural Support Trust.
Tags: Todd McClay Ministry for Primary Industries MPI Agriculture and Forestry MetService Rural Support Trust Northland Whangārei Bay of Plenty Hawke’s BayNew Zealand Boosts Mental Health Support with Funding for Community Programs
05 Jan 2026 | 8 months ago | 1113 viewsNew Zealand’s Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced increased funding for four grassroots organisations to improve early access to mental health support, focusing on prevention and removing barriers. The funded projects include expanded early intervention, digital support services, workplace mental health programs, and culturally tailored assistance for Asian communities, collectively reaching thousands nationwide. This initiative, supported by the Mental Health Innovation Fund, aims to reduce wait times and ensure timely, appropriate mental health care across diverse communities.
Tags: Matt Doocey Hearts and Minds The Loft MATES in Construction Asian Family Services Mental Health Innovation Fund New Zealand Mental Health Minister community organisations mental health supportGovernment Adds 31 Specialist Mental Health Beds at Manor Park Hospital
17 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1341 viewsThe Government is enhancing mental health support by adding 31 specialist beds at Manor Park Private Hospital, including 15 for adults with complex long-term needs and 16 psychogeriatric beds for secure and transitional care. This expansion aims to provide faster access to appropriate care, reduce hospital stays, ease emergency department pressure, and improve patient outcomes in the Hutt Valley and Capital Coast regions. The initiative is part of a broader mental health plan focused on better infrastructure, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response to deliver compassionate, effective care.
Tags: Matt Doocey Manor Park Private Hospital mental health support psychogeriatric beds Hutt Valley Capital Coast emergency departments mental health plan New Zealand Government