Buller’s Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs contract to finish at the end of June 2025

Buller’s involvement in the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) initiative will conclude at the end of the current financial year, on 30 June 2025.

The MTFJ programme places young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs) under the age of 25, people living with disabilities, and other disadvantaged persons into work, in partnership with the Ministry for Social Development (MSD) and Local Government New Zealand.

Buller District Council (BDC) and Mayor Jamie Cleine have been involved in the programme since 2020, which has been contracted to Buller REAP and facilitated by a coordinator and pastoral care support officer based at REAP.

Mayor Jamie Cleine says: “The programme requires that a set number of employment outcomes are met every financial year to ensure continued funding support.

Originally, participants needed to be in sustained employment for a minimum of three months for the outcomes to be achieved, but going forward this requirement is shifting to six months. Under the new conditions, it would be more difficult for us to achieve the required outcomes as many placements in Buller are made in seasonal employment situations, which may not meet the six-month threshold necessary to be counted under the contract.”

This factor, combined with other new, stricter requirements to only work with clients already registered with MSD, and the need to bring MTFJ in-house to council going forward means BDC’s continued involvement would not be sustainable. Managing these types of employment relationships is not core council business.

Unfortunately, after reviewing the new criteria set down for the next financial year, it has become evident that the new requirements would be difficult to achieve, as they have moved further away from core council activities.

Council would like to acknowledge the efforts of REAP staff who have delivered the programme to date, and the opportunities and support they have provided to young jobseekers in Buller. A total of 286 participants have passed through the programme since it began here, completing job placements and apprenticeships in a range of local industries.

“BDC and REAP have together achieved or exceeded the MTFJ contract’s required number of outcomes each in financial year of involvement in the programme and we feel that it is better to end now on a high note, than risk not meeting the programme’s obligations in the future” concludes Mayor Cleine.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz 

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.