Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand)

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) (Māori: Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora) is the public service department of New Zealand charged with advising the government on social policy, and providing social services.

Ministry of Social Development
Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora
Agency overview
Formed2001
JurisdictionNew Zealand
HeadquartersThe Aurora Conference Centre
56 The Terrace
Wellington 6011
Employees7,973 FTE staff
(30 June 2020)[1]
Annual budgetTotal budget for 2019/20
Increase$27,828,629,000[2]
Minister responsible
Agency executive
  • Debbie Power,
    Chief Executive
Websitewww.msd.govt.nz

MSD is the largest public service department employing public servants in over 200 locations around New Zealand. MSD delivers its programmes and services through a number of business groups and agencies.[3]

Some of the functions of the ministry were historically performed by the Social Security Department, the Department of Social Welfare, and the Department of Work and Income (WINZ).

Organisational history
A Ministry of Social Development office in Glen Eden, West Auckland

31 October 2017 - Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Vulnerable Children is renamed Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children.[4]

Ministers

The Ministry serves five portfolios and seven ministers.[5]

OfficeholderPortfolio(s)Other Responsibilities
Hon Carmel SepuloniLead Minister (Ministry of Social Development)
Minister for Social Development and Employment
Hon Dr Megan WoodsMinister of Housing
Hon Peeni HenareAssociate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)
Hon Priyanca RadhakrishnanMinister for Disability Issues

Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment

Hon Ginny AndersenMinister for Seniors
Hon Willow-Jean Prime Minister for Youth
Hon Marama DavidsonAssociate Minister of Housing (Homelessness)

Controversies

In February 2021, the Auditor-General investigated a scheme by the Ministry of Social Development where private landlords were paid exorbitant rental rates for emergency housing; some of which was reportedly unfit for human habitation.[6] In mid-December 2021, the Auditor-General released a report criticised the Ministry for paying more than NZ$37 million in inflated rents between November 2017 and June 2020 to private landlords and property manager to provide emergency housing for homeless people. The report found that the Ministry did not exercise control over rental prices which drove up rental rates. Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni expressed surprise that the Ministry had not consulted her while the National Party's housing spokesperson Nicola Willis called for Sepuloni to hold the Ministry to account.[7][8]

See also

References
  1. "FTE employees by department". Workforce data. Public Service Commission. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  2. "Total Appropriations for Each Vote". Budget 2019. The Treasury.
  3. "About MSD". Ministry of Social Development.
  4. "Ministry for Vulnerable Children is changing its name, again". Stuff.co.nz. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  5. "Our Ministers - Ministry of Social Development". www.msd.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  6. Fonseka, Dileepa (25 February 2021). "Auditor-General investigates MSD scheme which paid landlords $3k per week for 'uninhabitable' houses". Stuff. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  7. "Minister believes MSD should have told her about paying inflated rents for emergency accomodation [sic]". Radio New Zealand. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  8. Cooke, Henry (14 December 2021). "Auditor-General slams emergency housing rentals, says they likely drove rents higher". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
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