In 2022, 11.6% of 15 to 24 year olds were not in employment, education or training (NEET). This rate is higher for rangatahi Māori (19.0%) and Pacific rangatahi (16.5%). These rangatahi are at risk of inequitable life outcomes. Being NEET, in particular over a long period while young, is linked to a range of inequities later in life.
He Poutama Rangatahi (HPR) started as a regionally-led pilot initiative in 2918/19 through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), with 17 providers in four regions supporting rangatahi, aged 15 to 24 years old and at risk of long-term unemployment, into sustained employment. In 2021, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) took over the delivery of HPR, where HPR continued to fund providers to identify and respond to local needs, and to support the unique needs of their rangatahi through pastoral care, health, education and employment related services.
The Evaluation for Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development
MSD wanted to know how:
- effective HPR was in helping rangatahi progress and achieve employment, education, training and positive life outcomes.
- relevant the initiative was in relation to community needs and aspirations, and rangatahi unique pathways.
- coherent the design and delivery was with the programme’s intent and MSD’s key policy objectives.
The evaluation assessed HPR against these criteria. The evidence was used to inform MSD’s decisions about the future HPR design and funding.
