Minister launches Wellington regional plan

Supporting children to give them the best start in life and helping young people reach their full potential are two of the key aims of the Ministry of Social Development’s 2008/2009 Wellington Regional Plan.

The plan, launched this evening by Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia, outlines the challenges faced in the Wellington region and how the Ministry is planning to address these.

The plan outlines five key priorities: supporting children and young people, enabling people to live independent lives, supporting families and whanau to be safe and resilient, and strengthening communities.

“By working in partnership with other government agencies, individuals and organisations, we have developed and implemented a variety of initiatives to address Wellington’s important social issues. This will help build a strong and healthy society,” says Mr Horomia.

“We’ve recently established an Early Years Service Hub for vulnerable families in Taita. The Hub will provide these families with pre-school children access to a range of co-ordinated and integrated services. These services include antenatal care, early childhood education and parenting information.’’

The Wellington Regional Plan is one of 11 being rolled out across New Zealand, each setting out the region’s specific needs and development opportunities for the Ministry.

Wellington saw some great results from last year’s regional plan, including the recent opening of a Child, Youth, and Family assessment centre in Porirua. The centre, a collaboration between Child, Youth, and Family and Barnardos, supports young men with a range of behavioural and/or emotional problems. By providing secure care and protection, this will support the young person’s re-integration into their community.

‘’The approach we have taken involves valuing people and putting them at the centre of our thinking and action. We know that strong families and communities build a stronger Wellington region, which in turn contributes to a stronger nation,’’ Mr Horomia says.

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