Willis announces $190m Social Investment Fund
Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says the fund will "change lives". Image: RNZ
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has unveiled a new $190m Social Investment Fund designed to transform the way the social services are delivered to vulnerable New Zealanders.
In a pre-Budget speech in South Auckland this morning, Willis said the funding - spread over four years - would target deeply entrenched issues by investing in services that deliver "measurable improvements" in people's lives.
The fund would be governed by the new Social Investment Agency and was expected to invest in at least 20 initiatives in its first year.
The first three initiatives to receive support from the fund were an Autism NZ early intervention scheme, an Emerge Aotearoa youth offending programme, and a Te Tihi o Ruahine progamme supporting families in need.
As well, the Social Investment Agency was allocated $45 million for parenting initiatives and state care prevention programmes.
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