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One year of solid progress "This week the Government marks its first year in office, having received our Ministerial warrants on 10 December 1999. The middle section of this special anniversary Maharey Notes summarises the steps we have taken this year to build a better New Zealand. The Government has introduced policies which are transforming our economy, reducing inequality and improving opportunity for all New Zealanders. Of course we still have much work to do - but we have made a good start. The final issue of Maharey Notes for 2000 will be published next week, but as this is an anniversary issue I would also like to take the opportunity to wish you all the compliments of the Season." Warmest regards, Steve Maharey. Tertiary sector change signalled Starting next year plans for significant change to the tertiary education system will be up for discussion, Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey told the Association of the University Staff annual conference last week. The second report of the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission, which focuses on how New Zealand's tertiary system should be structured to meet the needs of a knowledge society, is due with the Minister next week and will be publicly released next year. Changes to begin to implement the new system can be expected from 2001. In particular, next year the Government wants to start to identify: Work and Income regional job plans Regional employment plans for each of the Department of Work and Income's (DWI) 13 regions were launched by Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey last week. Increased local flexibility was the principal recommendation of the Hunn Report ordered by the Government earlier this year to refocus DWI and improve its services. Mr Maharey said that regionalisation of DWI will deliver more jobs and better tailor employment support to needs of local labour markets. The Government wants to marry the employment expertise of DWI with the skill needs of our regions to get more beneficiaries off benefits and into real jobs and independence. The 2000/2001 plans summarise the employment approaches each DWI Regional Commissioner intends to pursue to get more beneficiaries into paid work within their region. Examples of local initiatives planned this year include:Social Directions briefings detail Government's social policy agenda During November and December representatives from around 300 health, justice, social services, education and community organisations were invited to attend Social Directions Briefings in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Nine Ministers with an interest in these portfolios gave a presentation on policy developments initiated by the Government and future directions. Interest in the Briefings was high and because of the interactive nature of the sessions it was not possible to accommodate all those who wanted to attend.1.   Social Investment The Government has an ambitious programme across the social sector - but central government acting alone cannot achieve the objectives we strive for. Government has a clear role in providing leadership, to coordinate and facilitate, to be a broker and where appropriate to fund and provide. The Government set itself six goals earlier this year. These are the goals that drive our programme. The goals are to:Fundamentally these goals are about building a better society by promoting opportunity for all. 2.   Employment The Government's strategy is to improve skill levels and to secure sustainable job growth. Key initiatives taken include:3.   CommunityThe Government and the third sector share common aims: making New Zealand communities' better places to live; building strong and cohesive communities; and closing the gaps that have opened up over the last decade. The Government's approach:Hon Mark Burton:     "The real efforts of central and local government to build and develop the relationship must be valued and acknowledged." 4.   Youth JusticeThe Government recognises that youth offending is the cradle for adult criminal careers, we must prevent young people getting into trouble and deal effectively with those who have offended. A $22 million youth justice package has been funded including:Hon Phil Goff:     "Unless we start tackling crime at its cause, we will never have enough policemen, never enough courts, never enough prison cells, to keep communities safe." 5.   Child/Youth policyThe Government is committed to working towards meeting the real needs of children and young people. Key initiatives taken include:Hon Tariana Turia:     "It is vital that our babies have the best start in life we can give them. They have that right and we have a responsibility to ensure their needs are met in a variety of ways, using all of our expertise." 6.   HealthThe Government is restoring faith in, and public ownership of the health system. Key health initiatives include:Hon. Annette King:     "We can improve the health of the community, take a simpler approach to funding, provide a community focus in the way services are organised and allow local input into decision-making." 7.   Social Security The Government is changing the social assistance system so it provides security for those who need it and opens new opportunities for those who can take them. Actions taken so far include:Hon Steve Maharey:     "Income support shouldn't be about passive payment, it should be focused on helping people build capacity and find decent work." 8.   EducationFostering education and training enhances and improve the nation's skills so that we all have the best possible future in a changing world. Early ChildhoodSchoolsTertiary and TrainingHon Trevor Mallard:     "Education is an intrinsic good. It contributes to economic growth and prosperity and it enables people to participate in our society." 9.   HousingOur policies ensure that state housing is more affordable and responsive to individual household income and need. Key initiatives include:Hon Mark Gosche:     "Affordable housing is fundamental to the health and well being of families and communities."Building a better society means understanding and acting on the linkages across sectors. Health and Education are the foundation on which we build. Merry Christmas from Team Maharey
Team Maharey is (left to right)
Back Row: Pat Thomas & Tom West (Pvt Secs, Dept Work & Income), Peter Lorimer (Snr Advsr), Michael Gibbs (Press Sec), Chris Eichbaum (Snr Advsr), Ruth Isaac (Pvt Sec, Tertiary Ed), David Choat (Tertiary Advsr), Annabel Taylor (Pvt Sec, Child, Youth and Family), Richard Bolton (Social Services Advsr), Geoff May (former Pvt Sec, Child, Youth and Family). Front Row: Kathleen Lambert (Snr Pvt Sec), Margaret Monks (Exec Asst), Steve Maharey, Kyleigh Couch (Min Clerk), Tania Woodcock (Pvt Sec, Min Social Policy). Closing the 'digital divide' Cabinet papers detailing the Government's work this year to close growing skills gaps between the information 'haves' and the information 'have nots' were released last week by Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey and Minister for Information Technology Paul Swain. The ability to use computers and the Internet is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for many employment opportunities. Many New Zealanders lack the information and communications technology (ICT) skills necessary to gain employment in the new economy. In an information society, there is the potential for an inequitable distribution of ICT which exacerbates exisiting social and economic disparities. The Ministers said that the Government has decided to implement a comprehensive strategy designed to enhance the capability of New Zealanders to effectively utilise ICT. By-community, for community Local solutions to local welfare problems are being promoted in 2001 through the Government's new $1.5 million Stronger Communities Action Fund. Steve Maharey announced the seven communities who will be the first to trial the Fund in 2001. The communities will be given responsibility for determining and purchasing the mix of social services appropriate to promote the well being of children and families in their area. The seven communities (and the lead coordinating bodies) that will trial the Stronger Communities Action Fund in 2001 are the Hokianga (coordinated by Nga Puhi); Ranui (coordinated by Waitakere City Council); Glen Innes (coordinated by Auckland City Council); Whakatane (coordinated by Ngati Awa); Mangakino (coordinated by Taupo District Council); Porirua (coordinated by Pacific Safer Community Council); and Invercargill (coordinated by Ngai Tahu). Depending on how well the programme works in practice additional communities may also be invited to join the trial. Child, Youth and Family will be providing support for the management bodies involved in the trial and assessing the results of the project. New funds for Child, Youth and Family The Government is to provide an additional $5.483 million to Child, Youth and Family this financial year to help it provide care for at-risk children. The additional funding for 2000/01 responds to heavier than expected demand for care services. New funding will be distributed around the country based on population and socio-economic factors. In addition, the Department is also identifying what else it can reprioritise to care costs from within its existing budget. All regions will benefit from the extra funding, although those places identified as having greatest need will get proportionately more. The Government will be further reviewing Child, Youth and Family funding in the lead up to the 2001 Budget. Wanganui Polytechnic package A package of measures to support Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic over 2000 and 2001 was announced by Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey last Friday. The Polytechnic reported an operating loss in 1999 of just under $2m, and another loss is expected for the 2000 year. Mr Maharey said that the financial position of the polytechnic has been worrying and the Crown has had to move to ensure ongoing provision in Wanganui. The Ministry of Education has been working with the Polytechnic over the last year, but the governance and senior management of the organisation have been unable to give the Government assurance that they are able to manage the institution or develop a credible recovery strategy. The package of measures includes:Tertiary council member fees Maximum membership fees which can be paid to members of tertiary councils are to be increased. Despite the significantly changed role and workload of Councils, the maximum rates payable have not changed since they were set in 1991 and, in some cases, may not adequately reflect the work required of some councils.