Work and Income New Zealand Regional Plans - Regional Plan for Taranaki 2/3

Work and Income New Zealand Regional Plans
Regional Plan Taranaki

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to introduce this Regional Plan to you. It is a summary of what we've achieved for this region during the year, but it is also a strategy for how we will be doing even better in future.

I am always very proud
to be able to tell people about the Department of Work and Income's
successes,and the hugely significant role our staff play in achieving
that. I believe this Plan illustrates just how hard they have been
working for the people of this region.
While highlighting the positive steps we've taken in the local labour
market to really make a difference for those living and breathing the
special nature of this region, this Plan also looks further ahead, to
the goals we've set our sights on for the coming months.

We are taking every opportunity we have to meet our commitment to help all New Zealanders achieve independence. We are engaging with communities more than ever before. A strong foundation for our ability to do this is our regional flexibility strategy local solutions to local needs.

Already we've seen good indicators that this focus will move us ahead very quickly in meeting the needs of the individuals who make this region the special place it is. As always,we will be closely focused on the local client base. We'll be organising our resources to target local needs in the most appropriate way for a particular area, or client group.

Closing the Gaps 'is
also at the forefront in every case. The Department is in a special
position to make a difference here, with our Maori and Pacific clients
already a key target area for our specialised programmes to assist
people in taking a full part in the economic, community and educational
life of their locality. I know this Plan sets the right challenges to
meet the needs of this community, and I believe it demonstrates the
special local understanding, knowledge and expertise our staff can
offer.

Working together, and in local partnership, we can only have success.

CHRISTINE RANKIN

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REGIONAL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

I welcome the opportunity to reflect on our success in the last year and share the regional focus
developed for next year in discussion with business leaders, Maori groups/individuals, training providers,
community organisations and other public sector service providers. The community is a great source of
ideas, advice and local labour market information and this is assisting he Departmen of Work and
Income strategy development in this region.

There is a strong belief that, wherever possible,moving people from being financially dependent on
benefits towards self-reliance and paid employment is imperative for the well-being of our communities.
The region recognises the challenges and aims to reduce social exclusion through participation in
employment and community activities.

As Regional Commissioner I have been ensuring the
Department is connecting with Government activity
in such areas as education, training, welfare and
business development within Taranaki, Wanganui,
Ruapehu and Waitomo districts. Some key highlights
and achievements follow.

Key achievement 1999/2000

• Forty Maori clients who had been withou work for an average of over one and a half years were
  rained and assisted to move to Wellington for work at the WestpacTrus Stadium. This initiative
  resulted in further employment partnerships with Te Ati Kimihia Education Trust and a national
  employer involved with the security sector.
• Local Employment Co-ordination groups are active in Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, Taranaki and Wanganui.
  Outcomes from initiatives have involved: Energy Retrofit programme, One More Worker
  Campaign/Taranaki, youth forums and other community employment-related developments.
• Training and employment package negotiated with the Tongariro Sawmills enabled 28 longer-
  term unemployed people in the Taumarunui area to return to work. This has long-term benefits for
  the community.
• Development of local site advocacy forums to establish relationships and improve service delivery.
• Keeping Independent Now seminars have been
  held for aged citizens providing valued information that can assist independent living.
• Major recruitmen campaigns have been undertaken in the meat processing and fast food
  industries at Wanganui, Hawera and New Plymouth. Employment outcomes for individuals
  have been excellent and as a result unemployed people have been assisted back to work.
• Over 550 people have received funding to investigate self-sufficiency employment options.
• 190 entrepreneurs who were previously unemployed have been supported financially to set up in a
  range of business ventures throughout the region.
• Up to 1,200 wage subsidy contracts have
  encouraged employers to take on unemployed
  people.
• A total of 4,300 people have obtained work with
  the help of Work Brokers and Case Managers
  within the region. Key features of these results are
  that over 320 of these people had been without a
  job for more than four years with a further 550
  being withou work for between two to four years.
  37% of these placements have involved Maori.
• Over 4,500 job seekers have participated in
  development and training activities that have
  enhanced their work prospects and
  competitiveness in he labour market. Of these
  activities, 50% have involved Maori.

Moving forward

Through our work and our co-operation with
partners we make a considerable difference in the
lives of many people within our region. We are
taking innovative steps tha mean our Departmen is
evolving in new directions. Some examples that
demonstrate this are our current partnerships with
Te Ati Kimihia Education Trust and the security
industry, Wanganui and Taranaki economic
development agencies, local authorities and other
business and community works.

As the Government identifies emerging social and
economic priorities, it will require us to take action
in meeting them. This will call on the partnerships
we have built with other Governmen departments,
all sectors of society and communities.

We all know that each year brings new opportunities
and challenges - we must continually strive for new
ways to improve our service and help people within
our communities to become the best that they can be.

Some ways in which we will do his over the coming
year will be through the introduction of specialis
Case Managers to work with youth, Maori, and the
long-term unemployed. Service centres and
individual staff will be empowered to develop
community partnerships that will provide new
employment opportunities. And Case Managers will
focus on securing paid work and work experience
opportunities for clients who are participating in
client development activities, TOPS courses from
Skill New Zealand and other training opportunities.

This regional plan identifies the issues that are likely to affect us most during the next 12 months. Our
in erventions need to address and lead to greater work readiness, and promote participation in the
community by disadvantaged and at-risk individuals and groups.

It is necessary to prepare people who have been out of the workforce for some time or who are otherwise
alienated from the labour market. A pilot scheme working with family groups rather than just one
individual has been trialed in Te Kuiti with success. We have evolved new approaches to current
contracted services for youth and developed community leadership initiatives in an effort to
address employment needs.

Communities that experience multiple disadvantages rapidly become dysfunctional, and
any development process must address the real issues before progress can be made. We will focus
on priorities and the steps that will be most visible and valuable to our communities.

I know that the people of this region have
always demonstrated their professionalism and
commitment to the people and communities that
they serve. Our vision is to go beyond confirming the
role of the Department in this region by supporting
an environment that achieves

• employment access
• equitable participation
• income security
• support for individuals and families
• community capacity-building.

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OUR REGION

Introduction

This region is one of 13 Department of Work and
Income regions. In the centre of the region are the
larger provinces of Taranaki and Wanganui. These
are bordered in the south by the Rangitikei River,
Waiouru in the east and by the King Country and
Waitomo districts in the north.
The Taranaki region operates in nine localities -
New Plymouth, Waitara, Stratford, Hawera,
Wanganui, Marton, Taihape, Taumarunui, and
Te Kuiti. We are also operating part-time outreach
services on a weekly basis in Ohakune.
This service will be expanded in the new year.
The area has a network of regional and local
Government, featuring three regional councils and
seven distric councils. The region is served by six
Members of Parliament.

The geographical features of this region are its
mountains, rivers, national parks, rugged coastline
and a skyline punctuated by Mount Taranaki and
Mount Ruapehu. It has a mountain to sea character,
and the community relies on its natural resources for
its social and economic well-being.
Internal migration to major cities has had an
economic impact resulting in decreasing
services and no population growth. Some areas,
particularly the smaller isolated rural communities,
are experiencing a decline in the number of
permanent residents.

Population

The region's population of 195,321 equates to 5.4%
of the national population. Over 51% of the region's
population are residents of the two major cities of
New Plymouth (53,607) and Wanganui (46,905).
The remainder live in the rural and provincial
districts spread around the region that exists
primarily to service the farming communities.
The working age population is 121,338 (62%).
This is below he national average of 65%.
The total Maori population is 36,993 which
represents 18.9% of the total population.
However the distribution of Maori is not even
throughout the region. For example, the Te Kuiti
population is 37.8% Maori, whereas in Stratford
Maori make up 9.1%.
The youth (under 24 years) population makes up
38% which is in line with national figures. People
over the age of 65 years number 24,948 and
represen 13% of the region's population,
which is 1% above national figures.

The job market in the next 12 months

The Taranaki region has the only deepwater port on
the west coast of New Zealand. The main trunk line
passes through the north-eastern section of the
region. A freight line also travels south from
Westgate Port to Wanganui linking up with the main
trunk line at Marton. There are two serviced airports
linking with Auckland and Wellington. Several of the
main arterial road routes are subtect to closure given
the nature of the country they traverse. This causes
major problems for industry and the public at large
and has the potential to be a disincentive for new
development. Transit NZ is, however, in the process
of making major upgrades to the main highway
north from New Plymouth, which will improve
services for both freight and tourist traffic. The
predominant industries within the region are
agriculturally based.

Taranaki had the third highest unemployment rate
in the March 2000 quarter at 9.8% (the national
average unemployment rate is 6.3%). Current
unemployment levels demons rate that there is a
time lapse between the improving economic
indicators and employment levels tha will follow.

Oppertunities

Primary sector
This sector is the largest employer group in the
region. It includes agriculture, horticulture, farming,
forestry, and fishing. The farming sector production
levels are benefiting from a favourable summer,
especially in dairying. Therefore farmers are
expected to increase stock numbers and export
levels of beef and sheep.

Wood exports are picking up with the improving
Asian economies particularly in the Wanganui
region. Large areas of hill country previously farmed
continue to be planted in pine.

Horticulture - the region's soils and climate have
made it a favourable area to establish plant
nurseries. A significant proportion of the plants
supplied to garden centres around the country
originate from this area.

Alternative land use towards cropping, as climatic
conditions continue to change, and diversification
trends, including organic farming, provide other
potential revenue for the region.
Primary production is expected to be boosted by
the low exchange rate and improved world growth.
Overall, it is likely that the regional economy should
recover further in mid 2000.

Oil and gas

Two major petro-chemical finds within the region
promise further economic growth. Existing reserves
and these new finds suggest that the industry will
retain a substantial presence in the region for at
least the next two decades.

Maori business development
There are significant activities being undertaken by
Maori with regard to land and river claims, west
coast leases, iwi and boundary recognition, which
could bring further investmen into the region.
Maori are continuing to increase their interes in
enterprise development that will increase
opportunities for both employment and the creation
of new business ventures. Recent business
development conferences have seen an increase in
participation of local Maori keen to build their
capacity within his area.

Tourism and hospitality

Adventure tourism and hospitality are seen as likely
growth areas in the region with particular emphasis
on the natural resources within the province such as
mountains, surf highways, rivers and lakes. The
disrupted ski seasons of the past three years mean
a decline in revenue for the areas of Turoa and
Whakapapa, but it is looking more favourable this
year. Wanganui promotes itself as a sports city and
is recognised nationally for events such as the
Masters Games and as a venue for rowing and
cycling. New Plymouth is investigating proposals
to build a new sports stadium.

Manufacturing
Trade apprentices are required by industry and the
recently announced Modern Apprenticeships
scheme will hopefully encourage a more supported
environment to develop training opportunities that
are affordable options for employers. Comment from
the industry sector is that the lack of qualified trades-people
is affecting expansion plans. With the average
age of tradespeople growing, the industry needs to
look at providing more opportunities for youth.

Small businesses
There is a national trend towards smaller
businesses. The majority of vacancies notified to the
Department are from businesses that employ fewer
than seven people. These businesses have special
needs, requiring business mentoring and guidance.
There continues to be the need to nurture enterprise
development throughout the region.
The trend to technology-based solutions for
businesses provides opportunity not only for local
and national, but also global market access. This
provides an untapped potential for the region.

Our clients
The total benefit population is 66,594 as at
end of June 2000. By far the largest group is
NZ Superannuation (34,828, which represents 52%).
The next largest group is Community Wage
(Job Seeker) with 11,470. Sole parents and other
people on the Domestic Purposes Benefit make up
8,933. Those unable to work because of illness or
disability account for 7,154.
Maori represent 18.9% of he total regional
population, however they represent 38% of those
receiving the Domestic Purposes Benefit and 34% of
those receiving Community Wage (Job Seeker).

As at the end of June 2000, 14,045 job seekers were
registered with the Departmen in the Taranaki region.
Maori represent 40% of the total unemployed,
compared to 30% nationally. As the duration of
unemployed increases, Maori make up a higher
proportion of the total. Maori are approximately
50% of those registered over four years.
The following table highlights the distribution of
Maori job seekers within the region.

Service centre	Maori	Non-Maori	Total
Te Kuiti	518 (68.7%)	236	754
Taumarunui	594 (62.8%)	352	946
Taihape	322 (56.9%)	244	566
Waitara	415 (43.9%)	531	946
Hawera	592 (44.5%)	738	1,330
Marton	265 (42.3%)	362	627
Wanganui	1,723 (41.2%)	2,454	4,177
Stratford	143 (27.0%)	387	530
New Plymouth	990 (23.7%)	3,179	4,169
Total	5,562 (39.6%)	8,483	14,045

The Taranaki region has significantly fewer Pacific
Peoples and other ethnic clients (3%) compared to
the national figure of 17.1%.

Those who have been withou work for long periods
of time experience greater disadvantage in the
labour market.

Duration	Maori	Non-Maori
0-26 weeks	1,495 (35%)	2,780
26-51 weeks	1,170 (39%)	1,857
52-103 weeks	1,290 (40%)	1,940
104-207 weeks	1,103 (43%)	1,437
208+ weeks	505 (52%)	468

Youth (15-24 years) equate to 23% (3,251)
of the regional register of job seekers. With
inter-generational unemployment becoming of
more concern, atachment of youth to the labour
market is important for their future.

Low levels of educational qualifications are a
feature of the long-term unemployed.
Among the key findings from a survey of the
Department's clients, the following barriers to
gaining employment were identified.

Limited mobility

Long-term unemployed people reported that a lack
of transport or no drivers licence as barriers to
searching for work. Maori long-term job seekers
reported mobility barriers in their job search to a
greater exten than other groups.

Discouragement

The longer a person is unemployed the more
pessimistic they become about finding work.
Consequently, job search efforts often diminish.
Fearing rejection by employers, many people lack
confidence at job interviews.

Lack of skills/experience and qualifications

Lack of appropriate skills or work experience are
common factors among long-term unemployed people.

Numeracy and literacy

Many people lack numeracy and literacy skills
which demonstrates a need to provide quality
training opportunities.

Health problems

Many people considered their long-term injury,
disability or overall poor health contributed to
continuing unemployment.

Caring responsibilities

Some people reported that their commitment to
caring for children and the difficulties associated
with finding suitable and affordable care were
barriers to finding employment.

Perceived discrimination

Some job seekers considered that employers were
prejudiced against them because of their gender,
age, ethnicity, unemployment duration or previous
criminal convictions.