WELLINGTON, July 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 125 community connector positions are being established throughout New Zealand to focus on helping people connect with the services they need to support recovery post COVID-19.
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni made the statement on Thursday.
"Some New Zealanders have multiple needs -- for example unemployment as well as other psycho-social needs such as health-related issues, housing issues, job-training and crisis support that have been compounded due to COVID-19," Sepuloni said.
The community connectors will assist people to get the information and access they need from multiple government agencies and service providers with a wide geographical reach, particularly in those areas not already serviced by community agencies, she said.
The Community Connection Service will also work with Maori, Pacific and ethnic groups, seniors and people with disabilities or significant health conditions. Supporting people who may be rurally or socially isolated is also a major focus for the service, the minister said.
The government investment in the community connectors service is 41.25 million NZ dollars (27.56 U.S. dollars) over two years and creates 125 new positions, Sepuloni said.
"It's part of a Community Wellbeing package that supports the sustainability and effectiveness of social services delivered by non-government organizations to vulnerable New Zealanders," she added. Enditem
