Work and Income New Zealand Regional Plans - Regional Plan for Nelson 4/4

Work and Income New Zealand Regional Plans
Regional Plan Nelson - -

ACHIEVING OUR KEY TASKS -
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Strengthen relationships with Maori

As discussed earlier in the plan, Maori are over-represented in
unemployment, health and socio-economic figures. Key responses will
assist in identifying areas of focus.
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Response one - Appoint
an iwi relationship manager.This is a contracted position to work with
the Regional Commissioner to develop priority focuses with iwi.These
could include the following.
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• Relationship agreements with iwi.
• Formalise working relationships between iwi and the Department of Work and Income.
• and agree appropriate processes for consultation.
• Develop areas of collaboration/partnership opportunities.
• liaison.
• included in he Department of Work and Income planning.

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Response two
- Establish an iwi-based Local Employment Co-ordinator (LEC)for Te Tau
Ihu. Initial focus could be in the following areas.
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• Working with iwi to achieve the Government's employment strategy for Maori.
• Identifying all Maori business across Te Tau Ihu.
• a process to identify skill, employment and other needs of the Maori community,individual and local Maori business.
• Identifying suitable employment opportunities for Maori.
• Identifying gaps in training and development for Maori.

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Response three - Provide Maori staff who will work closely with Maori clients as required.
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• Department of Work
  and Income Maori staff across Nelson, Stoke, Richmond and Motueka rohe
  have developed individual service delivery strategies tailored to the
  needs of clients.
• Pilots are to be implemented in Nelson and Richmond.

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Expected benefits

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• Maori clients will
  be dealt with by staff who are knowledgeable in the resources available
  for this client group and who have strong relationships with the
  community and employers to assist clients achieve independence.
• Staff will have access to expert Maori employment advice and official links with iwi.

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Health

Establishment of a health-based team specialising in long-term
sickness and invalid beneficiaries and, potentially, disability
allowances. The health sector is a specialised sector and therefore our
services should link as directly as possible.
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Expected benefits
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• Clients will become better supported,as Case Managers will have a better understanding of the relevant health issues.
• Well-resourced staff will manage and assist clients.
• Enhanced network of relevant community groups and agencies with informed Department of Work and Income staff.

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Rural

A high percentage of long-term clients live in rural areas. We have
traditionally let them come to us and have had limited Work Broker
input in these areas. Case Managers would take a special interest in
the area, gaining knowledge of clients and opportunities that exist in
the area. These Case Managers could then begin to have a presence in
the communities delivering services.
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Seasonality

High demands dictate the continuation of the successful seasonal
strategy that can be utilised for a number of areas,for example the
pipfruit and viticulture industries.
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OUR COMMUNITY COMMITMENT -
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CONSULTATION -
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