The 2017/2018 Annual Report for the Ministry of Social Development has been released.
Deputy Chief Executive, People, Culture and Strategy, Andrea Lawton says the Annual Report presents the work of every
part of MSD.
"It features work we do to support New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent, as well as the work we do with
partners to achieve a bigger and better difference for New Zealanders."
In the financial year from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, MSD oversaw the expenditure of over $25 billion of public money
to provide New Zealanders with student support, housing assistance and services, benefits and financial assistance, New
Zealand Superannuation and social services. New Zealand Superannuation accounts for over half of this expenditure, and
benefits and non-housing-related financial assistance less than a quarter.
"Our Annual Report has a strong focus on people and the communities we serve. This reflects that first and foremost
people are the focus of everything we do. We have revised our purpose statement to ‘Manaaki tangata, manaaki whānau’ to
reflect the importance we place on the care of people and families," Ms Lawton says.
"Our clients include youth, whānau and families, working-age people, students, people with disabilities, seniors and
communities."
Some key facts from MSD’s 2017/2018 Annual Report. During the last financial year:
-MSD helped and supported more than one million New Zealanders.
-Uptake of online services grew - 55% of all benefits applications were lodged online instead of in person (up 22% on
the previous year).
-Use of MyMSD app continued to grow, with around 36,000 transactions a day. 75% of clients used MyMSD to get help and
information, book appointments and update their details (up 15% from the previous year).
-277,410 working-age clients received benefit support.
-77,466 people went into employment and were able to cancel their benefit payment.
-27,500 students were helped into jobs, generating around $95.7 million of income for them to pay for their tertiary
education.
-6,644 households were housed from the Social Housing Register.
-95% of participants reported improved personal, social and decision-making skills as a result of completing a youth
development opportunity.
-100% of community groups said It’s Not Ok campaign helped them in their work to address or prevent family violence.
-The number of businesses supporting SuperGold card holders increased by more than 7% to 9,213. The number of SuperGold
card holders increased 3% to 733,088 people.