In a preview of next week’s budget, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed the establishment of a $190 million social investment fund.
A new Social Investment Agency will be established and put in charge of a $190 million (US$111 million) fund, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced as part of a preview of next week’s budget. It will be headed by former police commissioner Andrew Coster.
Social investment is described by Treasury as being about “improving the lives of New Zealanders by applying rigorous and evidence-based investment practices to social services.”
Last year, Willis announced the agency would be brought back, but gave no indication how much money it would be given to spend.
Today, she has announced an initial $190 million as part of a total of $257 million over four years, which will be formally announced in the 2025 Budget when it’s delivered on May 22.
It will include $20 million for initiatives that strengthen parenting over the first 2,000 days of a child’s life, reducing harm and setting children up for better long-term outcomes, and a further $25 million on helping to prevent children and vulnerable adults from entering state care.
This…
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