Articles tagged with Families
Reserve Bank Cuts OCR Again to 2.25%, Boosting Kiwi Economy in 2026
3 weeks ago | 134 viewsThe Reserve Bank has lowered the Official Cash Rate to 2.25%, marking the ninth reduction since July 2024, which is boosting economic activity and supporting forecasts of falling inflation and rising growth. This easing of rates is benefiting households by increasing mortgage renewal opportunities and enabling more Kiwis to purchase their first homes, with 23,600 first-time buyers in the past year. Finance Minister Nicola Willis highlights that these positive economic trends offer hope and improved financial choices for New Zealand families and businesses.
Tags: Nicola Willis Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate OCR New Zealand inflation economic growth mortgage lending first home buyers Kiwi familiesFamilyBoost Scheme Expands, Thousands of Households Benefit with $150+ Payments - Finance Minister Nicola Willis
1 month ago | 214 viewsThe FamilyBoost scheme has expanded, with over 11,500 households now receiving at least $150 a fortnight in payments. Families can claim larger rebates on early childhood education fees, leading to over 78,000 households benefiting from the program. The average payment for the September quarter is nearly $100 per fortnight, encouraging eligible households to apply through the IRD website.
Tags: FamilyBoost payments households scheme Finance Minister Nicola Willis rebates early childhood education New Zealanders young familiesBoost in Mental Health Support for Youth and Families in New Zealand
1 month ago | 196 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced increased funding for community organizations in New Zealand to provide faster access to mental health support for young people and families. Initiatives include strengthening helplines for children, creating digital harm response networks, expanding youth programs, running peer support groups for young mothers, and launching online maternal mental health services. The focus is on early intervention and expanding maternal mental health support to set children up for success, addressing the challenge of mental health among youth and reducing wait times through partnerships with various organizations.
Tags: Matt Doocey young people families mental health support community organisations Barnardos Netsafe Graeme Dingle Foundation Ki Tua o Matariki Whānau Āwhina PlunketGovernment Boosts Support for High Needs Youth & Families with New Services
1 month ago | 203 viewsIncreased funding under the government has enabled Oranga Tamariki to provide more services to high support needs young people and their families, with an additional 59 placements across 11 community care providers. These services encompass everyday support, access to education, community inclusion, extracurricular activities, and family contact, benefiting the youth immensely. The funding of $99.784 million over four years has allowed for trauma-informed care, specialist disability support, and tools like visual timetables to help these individuals manage and avoid triggers, demonstrating the government's commitment to addressing the needs of these young people and their families.
Tags: services funding government young people families Minister for Children Karen Chhour Oranga Tamariki support needs disability community care providersMinister Brooke van Velden: Passport Processing Efficiency Soars, Wait Times Slashed by 18 Days
2 months ago | 304 viewsMinister Brooke van Velden announces an 18-day reduction in passport processing wait times under the current government, with standard applications now taking 7 days instead of 25. The Department of Internal Affairs has achieved this efficiency through digital processes, staff training, and identity verification automation. Van Velden emphasizes the government's commitment to improving services for New Zealanders and ensuring timely passport delivery as application volumes are expected to rise.
Tags: Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden passport processing efficiency New Zealanders Government Kiwis families Department of Internal Affairs processing timesDefence Ministry Launches Major Housing Project for Military Families
2 months ago | 321 viewsThe largest Defence housing project in decades has begun, providing modern homes for military families and generating job growth in regional communities, as announced by Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk. The initiative aims to replace outdated homes at various NZDF camps and bases with modern two- and three-bedroom houses to support the wellbeing of military families. The Government plans to invest up to $600 million in the Homes for Families program, with construction already underway at several locations and future projects in the pipeline to improve housing for Defence personnel.
Tags: Defence housing project military families job growth Chris Penk Defence Minister NZDF Homes for Families programme Defence Capability Plan Linton Military Camp Royal New Zealand Air ForceEmpowering Choice & Control: New Flexible Funding System for Disabled Community
3 months ago | 351 viewsImprovements to the disability support system will provide disabled individuals, families, and carers with more choice and control over flexible funding starting early next year. The changes aim to address feedback for greater autonomy in decision-making and to create a more transparent and sustainable system. These adjustments, informed by extensive community consultations, will standardize assessment processes, develop personalized support plans through NASCs, and offer more clarity and certainty to users of flexible funding.
Tags: Disabled people families carers flexible funding disability support system Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston Independent Review NASCs Enabling Good LivesWhangārei Hospital Initiates Procurement for Expanded Carpark to Enhance Access
3 months ago | 638 viewsWhangārei Hospital is initiating a procurement process for additional and upgraded carparks to accommodate the ongoing redevelopment, addressing the current capacity challenges and growing demand. Health New Zealand is seeking a civil contractor to build a new carpark extension with 552 spaces to replace those lost due to construction and enhance overall capacity. Acting Health Minister Matt Doocey emphasizes the importance of easy access to health services and highlights the commitment to delivering a modern hospital for the community.
Tags: Matt Doocey Patients Families Whangārei Hospital Carpark Health New Zealand Construction Procurement Services GovernmentMinister Karen Chhour Urges Caregivers to Provide Safe and Loving Homes: Enhanced Support Available
4 months ago | 646 viewsMinister Karen Chhour urges individuals capable of offering a loving and stable environment to consider becoming caregivers, emphasizing improved support and training. Budget 2025 allocated $16 million to enhance care environments and caregiver training. Initiatives include caregiver feedback incorporation, improved on-boarding processes, and prioritizing safe and loving homes for children.
Tags: Minister for Children Karen Chhour caregiver support training Budget 2025 Caregiver Panel Oranga Tamariki Caring Families Aotearoa approval processImproved Access to Maternal Mental Health Support in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Mid Central, and Wellington Regions
4 months ago | 976 viewsNew funding of $4.9 million will improve access to specialist mental health support for women and families during and after pregnancy in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Mid Central, and Wellington regions. The investment aims to provide timely and appropriate care for those facing mental health challenges during pregnancy or postpartum, including support for birth trauma or stillbirth. This funding will create more roles in community-based specialist infant and maternal mental health services, ensuring more equitable access and reducing wait times for those in need of care.
Tags: women families mental health support pregnancy specialist care Mr Doocey maternal mental health investment access fundingNew Dialysis Unit in Blenheim to Provide Life-Changing Support for Local Patients & Families
5 months ago | 1404 viewsA new dialysis unit is set to open in Blenheim, providing crucial support for local patients and their families, reducing the need for extensive travel to Nelson Hospital. The initiative aims to ease the burden on patients, support self-dialysis capabilities, and address the growing need for kidney care in the region. The project is a collaborative effort involving various healthcare providers, local charities, and community organizations, showcasing a commitment to responsive and locally led healthcare services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Marlborough Health Minister Nelson Hospital dialysis unit healthcare local communities patients families Marlborough Primary HealthFamilyBoost Program Enhancements Bring Financial Relief to Thousands of Households
5 months ago | 948 viewsTens of thousands of households will be better off thanks to changes being made to FamilyBoost to help families with the cost of living, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “From the start of this month, families will get larger FamilyBoost rebates on the early childhood education fees they pay, with rebates increasing from 25 per cent to 40 per cent of weekly fees, and those with household incomes of up to $229,000 now eligible to apply. “This means for example that a family with early childhood fees of $100 a week could have their weekly FamilyBoost payment increased from $25 a week to $40 a week, meaning their annual payments would increase from $1,300 to $2,080 over the course of a year, making them hundreds of dollars better off.
Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis FamilyBoost households families cost of living early childhood education rebates scheme Inland Revenue