12 Dec 2025
10 months ago
4519 views
The adult minimum wage in New Zealand will increase by 2% to $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026, benefiting around 122,500 workers while balancing cost-of-living pressures and business costs. The government aims to moderate wage increases to address wage compression and support youth employment, with starting-out and training wages set at 80% of the adult rate. This change reflects the NZ First-National coalition’s commitment to responsible economic management, boosting incomes, and fostering job opportunities.
05 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1044 views
The New Zealand government is investing $20.7 million into youth development programmes aimed at supporting over 60,000 at-risk young people through early intervention and prevention. Funding will be allocated to 53 organisations via two main funds—the Place-Based Youth Development Fund for community-led, long-term programmes, and the Youth Development Contributory Fund for shorter-term initiatives—tailored to regional needs. These programmes focus on education re-engagement, skill development, and personal growth, aiming to improve life outcomes, reduce long-term social costs, and align with government targets on school attendance, youth employment, and offending.
02 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1387 views
The New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 outlines a government plan with clear goals and actions across education, employment, health, housing, and justice to improve the lives of disabled people. It aims to address barriers through meaningful, measurable initiatives, including employer support, accessible healthcare, improved housing definitions, early intervention in justice and education, and adherence to UN recommendations. The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha will oversee implementation, report progress annually to Parliament, and measure the strategy's impact.
20 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1195 views
The New Zealand Government, on World’s Children Day, reaffirmed its commitment to improving the lives of young Kiwis through its Child and Youth Strategy, focusing on supporting early childhood, reducing child material hardship, and preventing harm. Key initiatives include tax relief for families, affordable early childhood care, targeted funding for parenting programs, and prioritizing children with complex needs through the Social Investment Fund. Additionally, the government has accepted all recommendations from the Dame Karen Poutasi Review, enhanced child protection systems, increased financial support for families, and invested in social housing and community food programs to address child poverty and safety.
22 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1282 views
Minister for Children Karen Chhour announced a historic 14% reduction in harm within Youth Justice and Care and Protection residences in New Zealand, attributing the achievement to investments and practice changes. The focus on safety and well-being, including enhanced training, recruitment, and facility improvements, has been a priority for Oranga Tamariki under her leadership. These efforts align with the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care, reflecting a commitment to preventing harm and prioritizing the safety of children and young people in state care.
09 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1220 views
The Cabinet has decided to amend the Policing Act to clarify Police's authority to gather intelligence in public places and expand their powers to temporarily close areas in response to antisocial behavior or safety risks. Recent court decisions have raised uncertainty about Police's ability to record images in public spaces, prompting the proposed amendments to reaffirm their authority for lawful purposes. These changes aim to restore Police's crime prevention capabilities, support prosecutions, respond to evolving threats like organized crime, and enhance interventions for public safety, youth offending, and family harm.
17 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1242 views
Minister Karen Chhour notes a significant decrease in serious and persistent youth offending since June 2024, attributing the improvement to a tough yet fair approach and increased unity within communities and government. The reduction in youth offenders has led to safer communities, with lower rates of ram raids and repeat offending, as well as improved collaboration between Oranga Tamariki and Police. Investments from Budget 2025 aim to further reduce re-offending and enhance support for young serious offenders, prioritizing community safety and victim well-being.
08 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1522 views
A 12-month Military-Style Academy pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga in Palmerston North has successfully supported youth offenders and their families, resulting in improved behavior and reduced re-offending rates. Minister for Children Karen Chhour received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the pilot's outcomes, with many participants showing promise and making positive life changes. The government's initiatives, including the pilot program, have contributed to a significant reduction in serious and persistent youth offending, leading to safer communities and increased opportunities for at-risk youth.
24 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2240 views
Yvonne Browning MNZM has been appointed to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission by Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds. Browning's passion for enabling students, especially young women, to reach their potential through tertiary education and training was highlighted. Her experience as Principal of Southland Girls’ High School and her efforts in promoting engineering careers for young women were emphasized as valuable assets for the TEC's mission to prepare students for further education, training, and employment.
20 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2023 views
Youth Minister James Meager has announced a one-time $50,000 grant to the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) to mobilize young volunteers aged 12-24 to assist in response to severe weather events in Nelson Tasman. The SVA will coordinate region-wide activities for the next four-to-six weeks to provide valuable assistance to communities affected by recent flooding. The initiative aims to engage young people in disaster response, offering them a youth development opportunity while contributing to community recovery efforts.
19 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2321 views
New quarterly data shows the Government is on track to deliver on both law and order targets ahead of schedule, Minister for Children Karen Chhour and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith say. “We’re determined to protect communities, reduce victimisation, and to encourage young people not to continue down the path of serious crime and incarceration,” Mrs Chhour says. “A year ago we set a target of reducing the number of children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour by 15 per cent by 2029.