Hon Parekura Horomia
Minister for Maori Affairs
Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment

11 July 2008 Media Statement

Helping young people to achieve tops MSD’s East Coast agenda.

“Helping the East Coast’s young people in the upcoming year is a top priority for the Ministry of Social Development’s Regional Plan. “ Minister of Maori Affairs and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, Parekura Horomia said today at the launch of the Ministry of Social Development and Employment’s East Coast Regional Plan.

The regional plan is one of 11 being rolled out across New Zealand over the coming week. The plans set out each region’s specific needs and development opportunities and how the Ministry is proactively responding to these.

“There have been many key achievements attained over the last twelve months, one of them is the establishment of youth justice teams in both Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. “

“These teams help young people coming into the justice system learn how to make better life choices at critical times. Child Youth and Family have been working alongside Police, Courts, community service providers and whanau to coordinate this activity for young people affected. The Youth 2 Men programme in Flaxmere is a great example of youth justice that works. “

The programme has seen 22 Hawke’s Bay young people aged 14 to 16 years successfully complete 15-week personal development and motivational courses during 2007/08.

“These young people have had their lives transformed and will continue to be supported toward education, training and employment,” Minister Horomia says.

Key projects included in the 2008/09 regional plan are:-

1. Improving responses to notifications of children, young people and families needing help through the Differential Response Approach scheme.
2. Providing work-focussed support to people receiving the Sickness or Invalids Benefit.
3. This year the Plan’s leading objectives are supported by a $446 million Pathway to Partnership plan – a multi-year plan aimed at strengthening community-based family, child and youth focused services.

ENDS

© Scoop Media