Te Pai Ora SSPA and the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) welcome today’s announcement from Social Investment Minister, Hon Nicola Willis of a new $190 million Social Investment Fund.

“This announcement is an exciting opportunity to take a longer term, sustainable focus on the work we do every day in communities” says Belinda Himiona, Chief Executive of Te Pai Ora SSPA. “Every day through the mahi of providers, our sector turns around the lives of children and whānau. That’s what this funding needs to support.”

Te Pai Ora SSPA and NZCCSS represent community-based social service providers across Aotearoa who are focused on improving outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau.

“Social service providers are critical to a thriving Aotearoa. This Social Investment Fund is an opportunity to better recognise the work of our incredible social sector providers. We want to ensure that next steps for delivering this fund are done with community as partners and reflect the aspirations people have for themselves," says Alicia Sudden, Chief Executive Officer, NZCCSS.

“We’re keen that the community sector is involved as the Social Investment Agency develops its approach,” says Belinda. “What we want to see is a social investment model that truly understands and responds to community need – and that is fair, robust, and workable.”

The organisations say lessons must be learned from past processes. Both NZCCSS and Te Pai Ora SSPA believe commissioning needs to be done in good faith, guided by evidence, and with children and whānau firmly at the centre.

The potential of the new fund centres on the detail: “The sector has the capability and experience to deliver early and effective support – but that work takes time, care, and trust. Our people work intensively with complex cases. That must be properly recognised in how the fund is rolled out.”

“We are pleased to see a stronger focus through this fund on preventative approaches, particularly in light of New Zealand’s poor child wellbeing ranking in the recently released UNICEF Innocenti report, and NZCCSS hopes to see further positive budget announcements that will benefit the wellbeing and needs of children and whānau in the Budget next week," says Alicia.

As the Government looks ahead to Budget 2025, both Te Pai Ora SSPA and NZCCSS say the sector will be looking for long-term commitment to early support, prevention, and sustainable funding.

“This is a sector that shows up every day for communities. We’re ready to work together on a social investment approach that’s grounded in evidence, guided by community voice, and driven by a genuine commitment to improving lives,” says Belinda.

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