Opportunity for All
A summary of the Government’s social policy objectives, "Opportunity for All New Zealanders", was released in December 2004 by Hon Steve Maharey, Minister for Social Development and Employment. It outlines the Government’s key strategies and initiatives, and identifies continuing challenges.
It is the first time a New Zealand government has published such a transparent summary statement of its social policy. Opportunity for All is broadly structured on the domains used in the Social Report: knowledge and skills; employment; economic standard of living; health; social cohesion; safety; civil and political rights; national identity; leisure and recreation; and physical environment.
Part 1 describes what the Government is doing to improve the quality of life of New Zealanders in relation to each domain.
Part 2 identifies five critical social issues for interagency action over the next three to five years: improving educational achievement among low socio-economic groups; increasing opportunities for people to participate in sustainable employment; promoting healthy eating and healthy activity; reducing tobacco, alcohol, and other drug abuse; and•minimising family violence and abuse and neglect of children and older persons.
For more information go to www.msd.govt.nz
