Social Sector Trials
The Social Sector Trials have been established to test innovative ideas to improve social, health and educational outcomes for communities around New Zealand. They are about supporting local solutions to local issues.
At the core of the Trials model, there is a Trial lead who heads a programme of work in a particular location, using cross-agency resources. This could be an individual or an NGO. The Trial lead is able to plan social service delivery, manage relevant contracts and funding within scope, oversee resources, develop networks, engage with the communities and influence social services outside their direct control.
Health-focused Porirua Trial
Trials have been in place since 2011 and the Government announced 10 new trials in March 2013, one of which has a health focus. The Porirua Trial is aimed at changing health outcomes in a community. For Porirua, this relates to a higher incidence of avoidable admission rates to Wellington Hospital by its residents than other areas in the region that the Capital and Coast DHB hospital services. This will be done through a collaborative approach including early interventions and tackling issues such as lifestyle and living conditions, which contribute to avoidable health outcomes.
Trials support Better Public Services
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is the lead agency for the Social Sector Trials with the ministries of Health, Education, Justice and the New Zealand Police. They are working together to implement the trials in partnership with communities.
Each trial is an innovative way to support the achievement of Better Public Services goals and targets. Each trial also supports key Government strategies for improving education results for all children and young people.
Sixteen trial locations natiowide
Current Social Sector Trials are in Kawerau, Te Kuiti, Tokoroa, Taumarunui, Levin and Gore. These have been in place since 1 March 2011 and have been extended to 30 June 2014. This allows time to build on the results of those trials.
From 1 July 2013, the Trials will also operate in ten new locations. The 10 new Social Sector Trial locations are in:
- Kaikohe
- Rānui
- Waikato District
- Rotorua City
- Whakatane Township
- Gisborne City
- South Taranaki District
- Wairarapa (Masterton District, South Wairarapa District, Carterton District)
- Porirua District
- Dunedin South
These new locations test the model in different types of communities.
To find out more about all the trials, visit the Ministry of Social Development website.
Page last updated: 10 April 2013
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