Social investment in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Meaning and implications

Abstract

Social investment has been the leit motif for the development of a range of social service provisions in Aotearoa/New Zealand for the last decade. It involves a particular approach, using data to target decisions and inform directions for such key areas as social security, care and protection of children and delivery of social services. There are serious questions about the statistical base which informs the approach and the implications for disadvantaged, marginalised and targeted populations, while poverty is neglected, sidelined and/or treated as resulting from individual failure. The Aotearoa/New Zealand model of social investment represents a significant departure from needs based, equity informed welfare provision.