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Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today announced the appointment of the Rotorua Children's Director to lead implementation of the local Children’s Team.

Toni Hocquard, the Rotorua Regional manager of Stand Children's Services, has been seconded to take up the role after Kirsten Rei reached the end of her appointment.

“I’m delighted Toni has taken on this leadership role, she has the skills and experience necessary to keep the momentum going around this vitally important work in Rotorua,” says Mrs Bennett.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett believes the Government has struck the right balance by supporting the KickStart Breakfast expansion.

“This is a genuine partnership between the Government, the community and New Zealand business which will benefit children,” says Mrs Bennett.

The KickStart Breakfast programme will increase from two to five mornings a week in decile one to four schools. Higher decile schools that want and need it, can opt in during 2014.

The Government is extending the funding for Family Violence Response Coordination (FVRC) says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“We’ve decided to extend the funding for a further two years from 2013/14 to 2014/15 as existing funding of $2.8m per year was time-limited and due to end at the end of 2012/13,” says Mrs Bennett.

FVRC funds more than 30 local family violence networks, working with more than 1,000 local agencies to undertake family violence prevention activities.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is impressed with projects developed by young New Zealanders during a series of Lifehack weekends held around the country in April.

“Around 100 young people took part in the sessions, working in teams alongside mentors from technology companies, universities and the social sector,” Mrs Bennett said.

“A range of innovative projects were pitched, with ten chosen to progress to the development phase, with teams receiving funding and support to progress their ideas.”

E ngā mātāwaka e tau mai nei ki raro i te mana o Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru o Te Arawa, tēnā koutou katoa.

I am pleased to be here amongst you all today. I would especially like to congratulate the recipients of last night’s E Tū Whānau awards for being courageous, for standing up and for making a difference in our communities. To speak out against violence is not easy – but this brave stance that you are all taking will ensure that the future for our tamariki and mokopuna will be a safer one.

Associate Minister for Social Development, Tariana Turia announced today an additional $8m over four years for the E Tū Whānau programme to help address family violence within Māori whānau, Pasifika, migrant and refugee

The Government has committed $16 million over the next four years to continue the Ministry’s successful Historic Claims Resolution Process for those abused in care.

“It’s important we listen to those who experienced past abuse as children in state care, that we apologise and do what we can to put things right,” says Mrs Bennett.

To date more than 400 historic claims have been resolved.

The Government is supporting New Zealanders on low incomes with a suite of measures designed to help them become more independent.

“We’re increasing funding for Budgeting Services, procuring whiteware to bring down costs for beneficiaries, and exploring options for low- and no-interest loans through microfinancing,” Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

To help Budgeting Services provide advice for people to manage on low incomes, the Government has already announced an extra $1.5 million for 2013/14.

The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable children through the Children’s Action Plan, Chair of the Ministerial Oversight Group Paula Bennett says.

Funding of $35 million over four years has been set aside in contingency for extended family members caring for children, recognising the difficult job they do.

More than 12,000 New Zealand children are being cared for by wider family members because of the death of a parent or family breakdown, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

“We know they are doing a tough job, often on limited incomes with children who need extra attention and help, and we’re determined to support that.

A further investment of $188.6 million for the next stage of welfare reform will ensure beneficiaries get more intensive support to move from welfare to work, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows today congratulated Student Job Search on 30 years of helping students find work.

He will tonight host university leaders, student union representatives, Student Job Search staff and employers at a Beehive function celebrating the milestone.

“Student Job Search provides an important service connecting students to part-time and holiday work during their studies,” says Mr Borrows.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announces new Families Commission Board appointments and acknowledges an outgoing member.

Sir Wira Gardiner and Dr Parmjeet Parmar have been appointed to two vacant positions on the Board of the Families Commission, while Christine Rankin ends her term as Board member at the end of this month.

“I welcome Sir Wira and Dr Parmar to the Board with full confidence they will make a valuable contribution to the Families Commission,” says Mrs Bennett.

The Government is supporting people on low incomes by investing more money into organisations providing budgeting advice and support.

“In recognition of the good work Budgeting Services do to help people manage their income, an extra $1.5 million has been allocated for 2013/14.”

It is essential that people on low incomes have the skills and knowledge to manage their budget without getting into debt or financial crisis.

This is where budgeting advice is vital.

The Government has set aside $1.2 million in Budget 2013 for the development of Community Hubs and Marae CBD that will deliver social services to communities, Associate Social Development Minister Tariana Turia says.

“Marae are at the centre of much of our activity as Māori and have the capacity to support our cultural activities and ensure our tikanga is upheld.

The Government has committed $5.6 million over two years from Vote Social Development to the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study, led by the University of Auckland.

“The study could provide real value in the future and the Government has continued to support it,” Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

The same group of children are followed as they grow up and influences on their development are included in the study.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says Future Focus changes are reducing reliance on welfare and saving taxpayer dollars.

“The changes we made in 2010 are having a significant impact by introducing an active approach to welfare,” says Mrs Bennett.

Future Focus changes mean people have to reapply for the Unemployment Benefit after one year and sole parents on the DPB are required to look for part time work when their youngest is six years old.

More young people are going off benefit into work and education, with better support to be independent thanks to the Government’s welfare reforms.

“There are 8,367 fewer young people on Unemployment Benefits since 2010 when it peaked at 23,545,” says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“In the last quarter alone just under 6,000 young people went off benefits and into work, and many more went into full time study. We can’t underestimate the significance of that for individuals.”

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is pleased with progress on MSD-led initiatives within the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project.

The Project aims to significantly improve the way the Government supports young people with mild to moderate mental health problems.

“MSD has contributed $12.2 million in funding over four years towards eight specific initiatives, all of which are progressing on-track or ahead of schedule,” Mrs Bennett said.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has hosted an event at Parliament to celebrate the rebranding of Children’s Health Camps.

“From today Children’s Health Camps will be known as Stand Children’s Services – Tu Maia Whanau,” says Mrs Bennett.

“The rebranding represents the start of an exciting new era for the iconic organisation, which has provided care and services for vulnerable children since 1919.”

Expanded information sharing between Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has already resulted in 525 benefits being cancelled, and will result in savings to the Crown, says Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows.

It is the second major success in a week from the Government’s new welfare fraud measures. On Thursday two people were arrested in relation to a suspected $375,000 welfare scam, resulting from the first interagency welfare fraud investigation in co-operation with Police.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says there are 29,000 fewer New Zealanders receiving benefits since the last quarter.

This is the lowest benefit numbers have been at this time of year since 2009.

“I’m really pleased to see this significant reduction in benefits and I take my hat off to the more than 17,600 people who went off the Unemployment, DPB and Sickness Benefits and into work in the last quarter.”

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows today congratulated Police and the Ministry of Social Development on a joint investigation which has uncovered a sizeable welfare payment fraud out of South Auckland.

As part of the government’s new interagency fraud group, the Welfare Fraud Collaborative Action Programme, MSD and Police worked together on a case involving a bogus dental practice and hundreds of thousands of welfare dollars.