After almost a year in Government, the time is right to stand back and review what we have achieved in social policy and social services, and to talk about the next steps.

The Government wants to keep all stakeholders informed about our programme to transform New Zealand. Including direct providers of social services and the many other organisations including unions, local Government, Iwi and Pacific group have always maintained a close interest in social services, social policy and social justice.

We have designed this session primarily as an information exchange to update you on what has been achieved so far.

We will be focusing on broad social policy settings, though Ministers may also want to refer to specific initiatives or local programmes that illustrate where we are going.

As a coalition Government we are acutely aware that we got here because both Labour and the Alliance listened to New Zealanders up and down the country, and responded to their concerns.

That is why honouring our commitments to the public has been such a central part of what we do. We value the trust that people placed in us and we know that our job is to demonstrate that trust was well placed.

And it is also why continuing to listen is central to our approach.

My colleague Laila Harre summed it up nicely when talking about involving young people in the policy debate:

'It's not just about allowing the young a voice, it's about adults using their ears too.'

Her point is a good one, and as relevant to health, education, and social services as to youth policy.