Articles tagged with Youth
$20M Boost for Parenting Programs to Support Families and Child Development
2 weeks ago | 197 viewsA $20 million investment from Budget 2025 will expand evidence-based parenting initiatives, including the Triple P Positive Parenting and Mellow Parenting/Hoki ki te Rito programmes, to support families in meeting children's developmental needs. The funding targets the Government's Child and Youth Strategy priorities, focusing on early childhood support and harm prevention, with half allocated to broad parental support and half to high-need families through the Social Investment Fund. Additionally, the package will reinstate the Tākai national parenting platform, enhancing access to trusted resources and a continuum of support from universal to intensive services.
Tags: Louise Upston Triple P Mellow Parenting Hoki ki te Rito Tākai Child Poverty Reduction Minister Social Investment Fund Budget 2025 Child and Youth Strategy Parenting initiativesWairoa Youth Receive $200K Funding to Boost Education and Employment Pathways
4 weeks ago | 219 viewsMore than 80 Wairoa youth will benefit from a $200,000 joint government and community-funded initiative led by the Wairoa Young Achievers Trust to support re-engagement with education and pathways to employment. The ‘Pathways 2 Potential’ programme offers tailored workshops on skills like financial literacy, employability, and social media awareness, alongside mentoring and community volunteering opportunities. This investment aims to improve school attendance, academic performance, and successful transitions between education levels, aligning with government priorities for youth development and education.
Tags: James Meager Katie Nimon Wairoa Young Achievers Trust Youth Minister New Zealand Police Eastern and Central Community Trust First Light Community Foundation Ministry of Youth Development Youth Development Partnership Youth Minister James MeagerNorthland Launches Youth Acute Respite Service and Suicide Prevention Roles
1 month ago | 366 viewsNorthland is receiving improved youth mental health support with the launch of a dedicated Youth Acute Respite Service and three additional Youth Suicide Prevention Coordination roles, backed by $1.7 million in annual funding. This initiative responds to a coroner’s report on the loss of six young people, aiming to provide earlier crisis intervention and reduce hospital admissions by creating a more connected support system. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible mental health services nationwide and addressing identified regional needs.
Tags: Matt Doocey Youth Acute Respite Service Youth Suicide Prevention Mental Health Northland Coroner's Report Health New Zealand Suicide Prevention Coordination Mental Health Funding New Zealand GovernmentYouth Offending Rates Drop 25%: Positive Impact of Child and Youth Strategy Report
2 months ago | 410 viewsThe latest Annual Report on the Child and Youth Strategy highlights a significant reduction in youth offending, with serious and persistent offenders decreasing by 25 percent since June 2023, surpassing the original 2030 goal. Communities feel safer as young people make better choices, and there has also been a noted reduction in substantiated child abuse and neglect cases. Minister Karen Chhour praises the progress, thanks Oranga Tamariki staff, and emphasizes ongoing efforts to address generational issues and encourage reporting concerns to protect children.
Tags: Karen Chhour youth offending child and youth strategy Oranga Tamariki youth crime serious young offenders child abuse social workers Minister for Children Reports of ConcernGovernment Report Shows Positive Impact on Youth Offending and School Attendance
2 months ago | 464 viewsThe Government’s 2024/25 Annual Report on the Child and Youth Strategy highlights positive progress in reducing youth offending, child abuse, and food insecurity, while improving school attendance and parental support. Despite these gains, challenges persist with 14.3% of children experiencing material hardship and an increase in households receiving main benefits amid tough economic conditions. The Government remains committed to practical, evidence-based solutions through coordinated programs targeting education, health, housing, and welfare to further improve outcomes for children and young people.
Tags: Louise Upston Child Poverty Reduction Minister New Zealand Government Child and Youth Strategy Ministry of Social Development Kahu Taurima Healthy School Lunches Early Childhood Education Food Food Secure Communities Attendance Action PlanNew Child Mental Health Service Opens in Counties Manukau for Faster Youth Support
3 months ago | 475 viewsA new dedicated child mental health service, Te Ooritetanga oo ngaa Ratonga moo ngaa Tamariki, has been launched in Counties Manukau to provide faster access and early intervention for young people up to intermediate school age facing moderate to severe mental health challenges. This specialist team, part of the Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, includes a range of professionals and aims to support the region's rapidly growing youth population with wraparound care. Funded by an $18.7 million government investment, the initiative is part of a broader plan to expand the mental health workforce and improve crisis response to prevent youth from falling through the cracks.
Tags: Matt Doocey Counties Manukau Te Ooritetanga oo ngaa Ratonga moo ngaa Tamariki ICAMHS child mental health youth suicide New Zealand Mental Health Minister Health NZ whānau workersOranga Tamariki Improves Child Safety with 97% Timely Visits and Better Support
3 months ago | 497 viewsOranga Tamariki has shown significant progress in child care and protection, with 97% of children visited by social workers on time and improved compliance with caregiver support plans. There has been a notable reduction in serious offending behavior and harm among children in state care, supported by increased social worker recruitment, $68 million investment in case management technology, and enhanced training. Despite challenges like high reports of concern and insufficient supported accommodation, Minister Karen Chhour remains committed to improving the system and prioritizing child wellbeing.
Tags: Karen Chhour Oranga Tamariki Minister for Children social workers child protection National Care Standards caregiver support children in care youth offending case management technologyGame On: Empowering Pacific Youth for Careers in NZ’s $750M Gaming Industry
3 months ago | 513 viewsNew Zealand’s Ministry for Pacific Peoples is launching Game On, a $1 million program to support up to 57 Pacific youth into the $750 million gaming industry, addressing ongoing skill shortages. Delivered in partnership with industry leaders and NGOs, Game On offers school outreach, mentoring, internships, and studio visits to help Pacific learners explore STEM careers in real studio environments. The initiative aims to create long-term opportunities for Pacific communities and build on existing efforts to improve Pacific outcomes in STEM, with the first cohort starting training in July 2026.
Tags: Shane Reti Game On The Cause Collective PikPok New Zealand Game Developers Association Ministry for Pacific Peoples Tupu Toa Toloa programme Pacific youth STEM careersGovernment Boosts Funding for Smokefree Youth Music Programs to Promote Health
3 months ago | 591 viewsThe Government is increasing funding to $550,000 per year for the next three years to support Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats, youth music programs promoting smokefree and vapefree lifestyles. These events have been instrumental in encouraging creativity and wellbeing among young people for 36 years, contributing to a significant decline in smoking and vaping rates among youth. The 2025 editions achieved record participation and audience engagement, highlighting their effectiveness in reaching and influencing young people.
Tags: Casey Costello Smokefreerockquest Smokefree Tangata Beats Health NZ Associate Health Minister youth music programmes smokefree lifestyle vapefree lifestyle quit smoking campaigns government investmentViolent Crime Drops by 49,000 in NZ with Increased Police Patrols and Reforms
3 months ago | 723 viewsSince the Government was elected, a tough on crime approach and nearly doubling police foot patrols have led to 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in New Zealand by October 2025. Key reforms include tougher sentencing, enhanced police powers, and coordinated efforts to reduce youth reoffending, resulting in significant drops in serious youth offenses and ram raids. Despite this progress, the Government remains committed to further law and order improvements, including new legislation to address disorderly behavior and strengthen trespass laws.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell Karen Chhour New Zealand violent crime Police Oranga Tamariki Crimes Amendment Bill Three Strikes youth offendingNew Zealand Job Growth Boosts Economy as Unemployment Rate Slightly Rises
4 months ago | 687 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis highlights that an additional 15,000 people gained jobs in New Zealand in the last quarter of the year, alongside increased hours worked and job-seeking activity, indicating a growing economy. Although the unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.4%, it remains below Treasury forecasts, with expectations of a future decline as economic recovery continues. Additionally, the proportion of young people not in education, training, or employment decreased, reflecting positive outcomes from government efforts to support business growth and employment.
Tags: Nicola Willis New Zealand Finance Minister Stats NZ unemployment rate Treasury economy employment youth employment business confidenceGovernment-Funded Driver Licence Training Boosts Job Opportunities in New Zealand
4 months ago | 686 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 YouthGovernment Partners with NZ Young Farmers to Promote Safety and Leadership in Agriculture
4 months ago | 689 viewsThe New Zealand Government, through ACC, is partnering with NZ Young Farmers to sponsor the 2024 FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition, aiming to support and develop future leaders in the food and fibre sector. This collaboration emphasizes injury prevention, safety, and recovery in farming, addressing the high risk of agricultural injuries and the significant costs associated with them. By integrating ACC’s expertise, the competition promotes safe, sustainable farming careers while highlighting the skills, resilience, and leadership required in New Zealand’s vital agricultural industry.
Tags: New Zealand Nicola Grigg ACC NZ Young Farmers FMG Young Farmer of the Year agriculture farming safety injury prevention youth competition government investmentNew Zealand Minimum Wage to Rise 2% to $23.95 from April 2026
6 months ago | 3496 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Brooke van Velden NZ First National coalition New Zealand minimum wage Workplace Relations and Safety youth unemployment wage compression Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment inflation$20.7M Investment Boosts Youth Development Programs for 60,000 At-Risk Kiwis
6 months ago | 561 viewsThe 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.
Tags: James Meager Youth Minister New Zealand Youth Development The Y Central South Island Golden Bay Workcentre Trust Youth Programmes Education Employment