We funded pilot programmes aimed at minimising harm from gangs

Gang-connected families continue to be over-represented in negative social outcomes. As part of a wider suite of Gang Action Plan initiatives, we funded the Start at Home community pilots to work with gang-connected people and their communities. The pilots aimed to reduce the negative social harm associated with gang membership and to improve social outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities. The pilots ran in seven locations[34] across New Zealand, with funding ending on 30 June 2018.

An evaluation completed by Kaitiaki Research and Evaluation in September 2017 identified short-term outcomes that included engagement in employment, health care, and alcohol/drug rehabilitation, a reduction in tolerance of family violence, and improved access to assistance, such as benefit entitlements.