Community Connection Service
The Community Connection Service was established in June 2020 as part of the Ministry of Social Development’s psycho-social responses and recovery plan for COVID-19. Community Connectors are hosted by NGOs and their primary focus was on supporting people with COVID-19 or impacted including those directed to self-isolate and close contacts who required a welfare response. Community Connectors complement the wider welfare approach by providing short-term support to people and whānau, advocating and helping people access a range of services including welfare, social, mental health services and employment.
Community Connectors have been critical to the COVID-19 pandemic response, they help ensure that New Zealanders who are not accessing government supports and services receive early engagement and holistic and culturally anchored support in a trusted setting.
In May 2023, Government announced funding in Budget 2023 to provide ongoing funding for 100 Community Connectors for two years. These Community Connectors will support approximately 50,000 households per annum for two years to 30 June 2025. In addition, funding was approved through the North Island Weather Events (NIWE) package for 65 Community Connectors to be retained for one year in regions impacted by the January floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, to 30 June. 2024.
In March 2024 the government made a decision to reduce the Community Connection Service from 100 to 50 Community Connectors from 1 July 2024. From 1 July 2024 service provision will be provided in areas most affected by the North Island Weather Events in: Northland, Auckland, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay and Thames/Coromandel.
Where is the Community Connection service available?
Priority has been given to existing Community Connector provider hosts. They are delivering a quality service and are already part of the community of practice that has been developed between Community Connectors/providers and public service agencies, improving the social sector’s capability to plan for and respond to current and future community wellbeing priorities. Consideration was also given to where the need for community support is greatest, Regional socio-economic deprivation statistics and which populations may benefit more from having Community Connectors support their wellbeing (eg Māori, disabled peoples).
For providers: Community Connector guidelines
Download the Community Connector guidelines (PDF)
These guidelines were most recently updated in October 2023 (Version 2).
Who should I contact with questions?
Please email ccservice_2020@msd.govt.nz
