How we support and deliver services to New Zealanders
We work with more than a million people each year who need our assistance for all sorts of reasons. This could include financial support to reduce hardship, help to re-enter the workforce, temporary or permanent assistance to lead an independent life, support to increase safety and wellbeing, a safe, warm and dry house, a student loan, support with the costs of childcare, or New Zealand Superannuation.
In 2017/2018 we gave advice to the Government on social policy (including on income and employment support, public housing [23] and the needs of disabled people and seniors), employment support and training, and provided New Zealanders with:
- assessment and payment of welfare benefits, financial support for non-beneficiaries, New Zealand Superannuation, Veterans’ Pensions, support with accommodation costs, financial support for students, and child-related benefits
- support to enter, re-enter, or become ready to enter, the workforce
- housing assessments and services, including funding for the delivery of emergency and transitional housing
- funding for community service providers and support for families and communities
- investigation and resolution of claims of abuse and neglect in State care before 2008.
In this section:
The following pages outline some of the ways we supported New Zealanders by providing these services.
Footnote
[23]. The new Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, which commenced operations from 1 October 2018, has taken over our policy functions related to transitional and public housing.