Releases

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says more low income families will be able to access low and no-interest loans, as the Community Finance partnership is rolled out to additional areas across the country. “The government, the private sector and NGOs have been working together on this initiative, and I’m delighted that more families will be able to access the scheme,” says Mrs Tolley. ...

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says the government will fully consider the recommendations made by a UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC). It follows discussions between the Minister, a delegation and Committee members in Geneva last month, regarding New Zealand’s fifth periodic report under the UNCROC convention. “I was able to highlight the real progress that our country continues to make on children’s rights, such as the overhaul of care and protection featuring the voices of children,” says Mrs Tolley.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley and Corrections Minister Judith Collins have announced the launch of a new initiative to support more offenders into employment. Budget 2016 invested $15.3 million over three years for the trial, which is targeted at increasing the employment prospects of released prisoners. Work and Income case managers and professionals will work with prisoners from pre-release for up to a year to help them prepare, find and stay in employment to help reduce reoffending.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says National Social Workers’ Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the important work social workers do and thank them for the difference they make for families. “Social workers do an often thankless job and work with some of our most vulnerable families,” Mrs Tolley says. ...

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says that legislation is to be introduced in Parliament by the end of the year which will better support children and young people in care or at risk of going into care, while increasing support for families and caregivers. “The new Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki, will be totally child-centred and everything it does must be completely focused on safety and the very best long-term outcomes for children and young people already in the care system, or who are at risk of needing care,” says Mrs Tolley.