Youth development services and research to build data on marginalised young people is set for a $3.7 million-a-year boost in this year's Budget.
Priyanca Radhakrishnan (file photo) Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Youth Minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan, at an event at Mt Roskill YMCA celebrating youth week this afternoon, announced the Budget would include $15m over four years for the initiatives.
It includes:
- $2.5m a year to help youth development services support an extra 6800 young people,
- $1m a year to pilot a programme giving youth workers more contact with young people who have urgent and complex needs
- $200,000 a year for research and evaluation
Radhakrishnan said it represented a 40 percent increase for services funded by MYD , and the most significant increase for them in 20 years.
"Through these programmes, young people have reported increased self-confidence, development of work-ready skills, improved preparedness for the future work environment and strengthened positive connections," she said.
"By investing in our youth development services, we're able to make a long-term difference for our young people, by increasing their capability and resilience through programmes that develop the skills and connections needed to take part in society."
Radhakrishnan told Checkpoint the pilot programme will provide 20-25 hours per week of contact time with young people with additional needs.
"It's a layered response and together we want to make sure young people are supported to thrive".
The minister said the package wasn't announced in relation to recent stories of youth crime.
"Essentially what we want to do is ensure our young people have a sense of purpose, a sense of connection and the support that they need whether through their families or outside through youth services to be able to succeed and not go down a path of crime."
The Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) will be putting its contestable fund out to tender in June.