Articles tagged with Young People
Government Allocates $3M to Extend Active Me - Kia Tū Fund for Youth
5 days ago | 94 viewsThe Government is investing an additional $3 million to extend the Active Me - Kia Tū Hardship Fund for another year, aiming to support young New Zealanders facing financial challenges in accessing sports and recreation opportunities. The program, delivered by Variety – The Children’s Charity in partnership with Sport NZ, has already benefited over 10,000 children and their families by providing grants of up to $300 per child annually to enable participation in physical activities and remove financial barriers. Minister Mark Mitchell highlights the positive impact of the fund on children's well-being, social skills, and community safety, emphasizing the importance of exploring sustainable funding options and reducing costs for participants through ongoing research by Sport NZ.
Tags: Government Sport and Recreation Minister Hon Mark Mitchell Variety – The Children’s Charity Sport NZ New Zealanders financial hardship physical activity communities young peopleNew Zealand's Initiatives to Reduce Youth Benefit Dependency
1 week ago | 148 viewsMinister Louise Upston announces two key initiatives aimed at reducing benefit dependency and encouraging young New Zealanders to stay in work. The first initiative involves removing Jobseeker payments for 18- and 19-year-olds if their parents can financially support them. The second initiative offers a $1,000 bonus payment to young people who participate in the Community Job Coaching service, secure employment, and remain off benefits for 12 months.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealanders Jobseeker payments Ministry of Social Development Community Job Coaching service Parental Assistance Test welfare benefit dependency National’s Welfare that Works policy young peopleMinister Karen Chhour Reports Success in Youth Offending Reduction Efforts
4 weeks ago | 135 viewsMinister 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.
Tags: Karen Chhour Minister for Children young people offenders community leaders New Zealanders Oranga Tamariki Police youth offending initiativesNew Zealand Takes Urgent Action to Suspend Unsafe International Adoptions
4 weeks ago | 158 viewsThe Government, led by Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, is urgently suspending recognition of unsafe international adoptions to protect children and young people. The Adoption Amendment Bill has been introduced to immediately suspend New Zealand's recognition of risky overseas adoptions, citing inadequate safeguards in current laws. The temporary suspension, effective until a specified date or July 1, 2027, aims to prevent harm to children adopted into unsafe situations, with plans for a long-term solution and exemptions for countries with safe adoption practices.
Tags: Government international adoptions children young people Nicole McKee Adoption Amendment Bill unsafe overseas adoptions Joseph Auga Matamata Family Court Ministry of JusticeGovernment-backed Gumboot Friday Provides Vital Mental Health Support for Young New Zealanders
2 months ago | 680 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey supports Gumboot Friday, an initiative aiding youth mental health. Government funding has enabled over 30,000 counseling sessions for 10,000 young New Zealanders. The initiative plans to expand, with 700 counselors registered and aims to reach 15,000 youth with 40,000 sessions in 2025/26.
Tags: Matt Doocey Government funding Gumboot Friday young people mental health support counselling sessions New Zealanders counsellors I Am Hope partnershipGovernment Focuses on Jobseeker Beneficiaries in Employment Programs for Next Three Years
3 months ago | 570 viewsMinister Louise Upston highlights the Government's focus on jobseeker beneficiaries in upcoming employment programs. The Ministry of Social Development's updated strategy emphasizes the importance of prioritizing beneficiaries for job placements. Efforts include targeted support for young people to reduce long-term reliance on benefits and increase employment opportunities.
Tags: Jobseeker beneficiaries Government Employment programmes Minister Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD Young people Frontline staff Employment case management New Zealand.Boosting Professionalisation in Residential Workforce for Safer Care Environments: Minister for Children Announces $41 Million Investment
3 months ago | 650 viewsMinister for Children Karen Chhour has announced that the residential workforce is being boosted by an investment in their professionalisation. Secure residences provide care for children and young people, placed there for either care and protection or youth justice reasons. They often have complex needs and can be highly vulnerable.
Tags: Minister for Children Karen Chhour residential workforce professionalisation children young people