Ministry of Social Development (MSD)

Meet Cathy Halforty, an Integrated Services Case Manager in Otāhuhu who has been working hard for 14 months to achieve a level 4 health and wellbeing certificate through MSD’s Qualifications Programme. She’s one of 257 kaimahi who graduated through the programme this year, which covers a range of NZQA approved qualifications to upskill and strengthen the capability of our people. Cathy works closely with people facing complex situations every day and is passionate about empowering them with the tools and support they need to succeed. She was excited to find a learning opportunity that directly supports this work. “I have embraced the insights from this applied course; it reinforces my knowledge, complements my work, and is an area I’m excited to continue learning in”, says Cathy. Like the other graduates from the MSD Qualifications Programme, Cathy committed to the study on top of her everyday work and now feels more confident in her mahi. “Going outside of my comfort zone did present challenges, but it was in an extremely supportive and insightful learning journey with many people involved to help you along the way. I feel better equipped to understand the cultural depth within communities but also have the confidence to navigate appropriate social services for the people I help.” “During the course I learnt about Te Whare Tapa Whā, a well-being model developed by academic and Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie. I didn’t know about this before the course so it was amazing to learn about it and gain more insight on how it can be applied towards the whānau we support at work.” This year’s graduates gained qualifications in a wide range of areas related to their roles such as case management, business, and leadership. Congratulations to Cathy and all of our 2024 graduates on your achievements!

Our Case Manager and former MSD client, James Tom, says he is motivated to come to work every day because of his empathy for people’s  journey and his wish to help them thrive. The former youth pastor has a passion for seeing young people succeed, whether it be study or work. “I enjoy helping youth find their purpose”, he says. “I ask questions about their dreams and strengths, suggest jobs that fit, and love seeing their faces light up with new possibilities”. When James was a job seeker in 2020 his interest in digital editing saw him referred by his MSD Case Manager to a film and television training and employment programme. From there he worked in a couple of fixed-term jobs in the film industry before gaining an eight-month fixed-term processing officer role with the Ministry’s Centralised Services in 2023. In June this year, James secured a permanent position as a Case Manager with the Rotorua Service Centre. “I’m still learning but I do know helping people into mahi is massive for me”, he says. “When I say ‘helping’, it could be anything from updating a CV to processing new benefit applications or facilitating a Korero Mahi – Lets Talk Work seminar”. James says there were times his own confidence was low due to the uncertainty that came with moving on and off benefit. “It was hard at times but I knew I had to keep going. Since joining MSD, my mana has been restored”. James cherishes the day he told his parents his job was permanent. “They’re proud their son is now in secure work”, he says. “I hope my journey can inspire others because with work, like me, they’ll thrive”.

Rena Hona – the Māori, Partnerships and Programmes Manager at MSD – was awarded the New Zealand Public Service Medal yesterday at the Te Rā Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Day Awards. Since beginning her public service career as a young Māori Cadet with the Māori Affairs Department 40 years ago, Rena has stayed committed to improving the lives of tangata Māori in New Zealand throughout her career. At MSD, Rena has led significant initiatives that include Te Pae Tata – our Māori Strategy and Action Plan, and E Tū Whānau – MSD’s community-led approach to support whānau and communities to live free from violence. She also played a pivotal role in our iwi partnerships including the Tūhoe Head Funding Agreement, bringing Tūhoe and the Crown together to improve housing, health, education, social support, and development of Tūhoe. Thank you Rena for being an advocate for improving the lives of tangata, and for putting people and communities at the heart of your service. The Award is part of the New Zealand Royal Honours system and recognises Rena as an exceptional public servant and leader who has delivered significant benefit to New Zealand. Pictured (left to right): Debbie Power, Rena Hona and Marama Edwards You can find out more about the recipients and their work here: https://lnkd.in/gQi-hb4t

Congratulations to all the recipients of Te Rā Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Day Awards 2024! 👏 We had two amazing wāhine Shivaun LaHatte and Jacqui Kime from MSD being recognised for their exceptional commitment to the public service with the Public Service Commissioner’s Commendation for Excellence. Shivaun, Senior Business Analyst Income and Jacqui, National Manager Client Service Integrity, were recognised among a group of ten public servants who received the commendation. Recipients showed exceptional care and commitment to the service, and an ‘ability to influence, lead, and inspire’ in the words of Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche. Here’s a little bit more about the pair who started out their careers as part of MSD’s frontline whānau. Fifty-five years ago, Shivaun started as a clerk in our Auckland Office. While she no longer works on the frontline, she has never lost her strong connection to the people we serve. She played a key role in our original Contact Centre pilot in 1996, welfare reform and Job Connect. Jacqui also started as a clerk at the Department of Social Welfare’s (predecessor to MSD) Hornby Welfare Office in 1983. Career highlights have included leading some of our most complex fraud investigations and being on the ground in Canterbury with hands-on support for the team and wider community through the earthquakes and the 2019 mosques attacks. Pictured: Shivaun (wearing white and holding award) and Jacqui (wearing black and holding award) with colleagues and family. For more information about the recipients and their work, visit: https://lnkd.in/gQi-hb4t

Looking for a job that can fit around your family commitments? 🔍 We are pleased to partner with Jobs For Mums to connect people with family-friendly employers, promoting part-time, flexible full-time, school hours, and project-based opportunities. It might be called Jobs for Mums, but the service is open to dads too, and anyone who wants flexible work that fits their skills. Finding the balance between work that fits the needs of family and makes the most of skilled parents and caregivers is at the heart of why Jobs for Mums was developed. You can register as a job seeker or list your flexible vacancies online: www.jobsformums.co.nz

Do you have a SuperGold Card? Do you know someone who does? The SuperGold Information Hub is a one-stop-shop for up-to-date info on all of the offers available to cardholders. You might be surprised to learn how many things a SuperGold card can help with. It’s not just public transport! There are nearly 6,000 offers available around New Zealand. We’ve now expanded the website to include more about support and services available for cardholders. On the Support & Services for Seniors page, you’ll find handy information about everything from the Prescription Subsidy Scheme to Digital Literacy Training.  We encourage you to take a look: https://lnkd.in/gvFDGnuV

The team behind MSD’s Love Better campaign were recognised at the annual Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards last week with Te Tohu Auaha Hou, the Innovation Award. These awards celebrate amazing mahi across the public service and give us a chance to celebrate the people behind-the-scenes that make it happen. Congratulations to Mark Henderson, Edwina James, Cherie Knights, and Zaffa Christian, along with the wider team that’s supported this mahi. The Love Better campaign takes a radical new approach to reducing violence in relationships, with a focus on helping young people cope with break-ups. It encourages good decisions and supports young people through those really tough times when emotional hurt can lead to harm. Check out the official website to see the campaign in action: www.lovebetter.org.nz Pictured: MSD’s Debbie Power, Cherie Knights, Zaffa Christian, Edwina James, and Marama Edwards with the Innovation Award for MSD’s Love Better campaign. 

Some of our kaimahi were recognised as part of some award-winning initiatives at the annual Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards last week. Among the winning-initiatives was the Driver Licensing Improvement Programme, a cross-agency initiative that’s a great example of what we can achieve together. A huge congratulations to all the teams and agencies that worked on the Driver Licensing Improvement Programme which was recognised with:  ·      Tohu mō ngā Hua E Pai Ake Ana, Better Outcomes Award ·      Te Tohu a te Pirimia, Prime Minister’s Award for the Driver Licensing Improvement Programme The Driver Licensing Improvement Programme focuses on making it easier for people disadvantaged by barriers to obtain a licence to get a license with the support of local community providers funded by MSD right across the motu. Having a licence opens doors to employment, education, support for whānau and healthcare, as well as making sure we have more safe licensed drivers in communities. Congratulations to our colleagues at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, NZ Police, Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry of Transport, and ACC New Zealand for this shared honour. You can find out more about this initiative on the Work and Income website: https://lnkd.in/dgwC9XyY Pictured: The cross-agency team behind the Drivers Licence Improvement Programme with the Better Outcomes Award and the Prime Minister’s Award. 

Sean’s worked on many farms and impressed farmers while working as a supervisor in MSD’s Enhanced Taskforce Green programme, part of the recovery response to the 2023 weather events. After that finished, Sean was on the lookout for a similar role where he could use his experience and give back to his own community. He was able to find the perfect fit with some support from Kate, a Work and Income Work Broker. Sean now works as the supervisor at the community garden for Whaiora, a community-based health service in Wairarapa. The job keeps Sean busy with weekly harvesting and distributing kai to the community through pataka boxes, hui and gatherings. “I love that the work is in-depth, community-based and that we’re feeding multiple whānau. I can’t wait for the alarm to go in the morning.” says Sean. Kate is really proud of Sean. “It’s been fabulous working alongside Sean on his journey. The moral of the story is: ‘don’t turn down opportunities, because you don’t know where they will lead you’.”

Andrea Sugar went from volunteering for a local food charity to working there full time – and she’s delighted. She’s now Project Lead at the Mihirau Greenhouse Development, an initiative put together by South Kaipara Good Food. “This is my happy place,” Andrea says. “I’ve often thought about ways to give back to the community that has helped me. I’m thrilled I get to do that now.” Since being hired, she’s introduced a new initiative where people collecting food packs can also receive seedling packs to grow at home. MSD was able to offer South Kaipara Good Food a Flexi-wage subsidy to support Andrea’s job application. Find out more about how we can help employers take on new staff: https://lnkd.in/gjJBBXW4