Research funded jointly by social service providers and philanthropic organisations

Social service providers and philanthropic organisations have a vital role in our social service system. Their contribution to promoting the wellbeing of children, young people, individuals, families and whānau, and communities in Aotearoa should be valued.

This research has found that the social service system in New Zealand is not working as well as it could be and that, as a result, providers delivering critical services to those in need are underfunded and over-reliant on the philanthropic sector.

Results indicate that currently the government funds providers for less than two-thirds of the actual cost of delivering the essential services they are contracted to provide, and that the total underfunding is estimated to be at least $630 million annually. Some of the major drivers and immediate and long-term impacts of this underfunding have been highlighted. Recommended solutions have been proposed for implementation in partnership with government, providers and philanthropic organisations. (From the Executive summary). Access the website for the Executive summary and media release. Record #6372