Changes to Ministry of Youth Development announced

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has completed its consultation with staff and is able to confirm the new structure of the Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) which will take effect in April 2016.

The reorganisation by MSD follows last month’s announcement of a new direction and priorities for government’s role in youth development, which aims to increase the number and quality of development opportunities available to all young New Zealanders aged between 12 and 24 years.

The new direction requires significant changes for MYD, including in its priorities, the functions it delivers and its structure.

Staff provided a number of thoughtful submissions to the Ministry’s consultation, and support MYD being located in Wellington within the Community Investment section of MSD.

The new-look MYD will have 17 positions. A core team will be based in Wellington, focused on partnering with business and the philanthropic sector and developing investment advice to increase the number of youth development opportunities.

Positions will also be added to the wider Community Investment group to provide the contract support function for MYD, along with four regionally-based advisors with a focus on youth, to provide on-the-ground support to deliver the new direction.

The four regional Community Investment Advisors (Youth) will be based in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington and Christchurch.

Many youth-focussed initiatives are regional and need input at a local level to succeed. Also, there are an increasing number of opportunities for youth development through partnering with iwi who are seeking to invest in their young people at a regional and local level.

MSD has worked with the PSA throughout the MYD change process.

The new structure takes effect in April and there will be no changes to current MYD staff until then.

Media Contact: MSD Media Team ph. 04 916 3496 or media@msd.govt.nz.