Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand)
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) (Māori: Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora) is the public service department of New Zealand charged with advising the government on social policy, and providing social services.
MSD is the largest public service department employing public servants in over 200 locations around New Zealand. It works closely with other public service departments and agencies, non-government organisations, advisory and industry groups, and communities and iwi. MSD delivers its programmes and services through a number of business groups and agencies.
Functions
Services
The Ministry of Social Development provides:
care and protection of vulnerable children and young people
employment, income support and superannuation services
funding to community service providers
social policy and advice to government
student allowances and loans.
Community Link
Community Links are centres where people, their families and communities can access a range of [social] services from the Ministry of Social Development and other organisations and community agencies.