New Zealand Ministry of Social Development
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The Ministry of Social Development (Māori: Te Manatu Whakahiato Ora) is a New Zealand government agency which has two main functions: providing social policy advice to the government, and providing social services.
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[edit] Services
The Ministry of Social Development is made up of several service lines.
Work and Income
Provides income support (including superannuation) and employment services.
Studylink
Provides student allowances and loans. Not to be confused with http://studylink.com/, a website for students seeking international education.
Heartland Services
Services to rural clients across a range of government departments and social agencies.
Families and Community Services
Family and Community Services works with other government and non-government agencies, and communities to give families access to information and coordinated social services. Examples include the SKIP programme.
Child, Youth and Family
In 2006, the former Department of Child, Youth and Family Services was merged into the Ministry. It continues to provide care and protection of children and young people, youth justice coordination, adoption information and community organisation funding.
The Ministry also has a policy and research area.
[edit] Administered agencies
A number of other agencies are administered the Ministry of Social Development. They are generally responsible to a separate Minister.
Ministry of Youth Development
Provides policy advice concerning young people.
The Office for Disability Issues
Provides policy advice concerning disability issues.
The Office for Senior Citizens
Provides advice on elderly people.
New Zealand Office for the Community & Voluntary Sector
Exists to inspire co-operation and relationships between the government and community and voluntary sector.
[edit] Organisational history
Originally established as the Old Age Pensions Department. In 1939 the Social Security Department was established to replace the former Pensions Department and absorbed the major portion of the Employment Division of the Department of Labour.
In 1972 the Department of Social Welfare was formed from the amalgamation of the Social Security Department and the Child Welfare Division of the Department of Education.
In 1992 as part of the reforms of the National government the Department of Social Welfare was restructured, setting up specific business unit.
- New Zealand Income Support Service
- New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service
- New Zealand Community Funding Agency
- Social Policy Agency
- Corporate Office
In 1998 the Department of Work and Income (branded as Work and Income New Zealand or WINZ) was established with the merger of NZ Income Support with the New Zealand Employment Service, Community Employment Group and Local Employment Co-ordination.
In 1999 the social policy agency and the corporate office formally became the Ministry of Social Policy. The Children, Young Persons and their Families Agency also became a separate Department of Child, Youth and Family Services. Work and Income New Zealand also took over the management of Student Allowances and in 2000 the Student Loan service, previously this was managed by the Ministry of Education. In later years Studylink was formed to manage Student Loans and Allowances.
In 2001 Work and Income New Zealand was merged with the Ministry of Social Policy to form the Ministry of Social Development.
In 2006, the former Department of Child, Youth and Family Services was merged into the Ministry.
[edit] References
- Miller, R. ed. 2006 New Zealand Government and Politics, OUP
[edit] External references
- Official Ministry website
- Child Youth and Family website
- Work and Income website
- Family and Community Services website
- Heartland Services website
- Ministry of Youth Development
