 Treasury Schools Challenge 2015 Nadia Bari Katie Lewthwaite Jonathan Manickam Zach Withers

Social Infrastructure Increasing Equity Sustainability for the Future Economic Growth Managing Risks

ISSUE 1: ACCESSIBLITY OF MEDICAL CARE IN RURAL AREAS Ministry of Health Urban–Rural Health Comparisons 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey. Wellington: Ministry of Health. [Urban][Rural] Managing Risks

Ministry of Health Urban–Rural Health Comparisons: Key results of the 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey. Wellington: Ministry of Health. “…considerable difficulties getting health care that is equitable to urban areas… …often struggle to recruit and retain health professionals” Social Infrastructure

Effects 1. “…the most basic of services - first response, primary care and maternity may not be available locally.” 2. “more sensitive to the development of disease the further they live from a doctor, but (at the same time) distance negatively affects their propensity to consult.” “Moving Forward In Rural Health” - NZ Institute of Rural Health, 2008 NZMJ 6 August 2004, Vol 117 No 1199 Managing Risks

Policy Suggestion – Part 1 Encouragement of partnerships of tertiary institutions with rural communities Existing model – Medical Officers in Defence Force Sustainability for the Future

Policy Suggestion – Part 2 Creation of a mobile network of medical professionals who travel periodically to rural areas Existing model – Mobile Dentists Social Infrastructure

The key to success will be co-operating with existing acting stakeholders such as: Fonterra FMG (Farmers’ Mutual Group) Local Councils and District Health Boards Economic Growth

Trade-Offs Opportunity cost Financing transport of patients to existing health services More regional hospitals Promotion of more inefficient service providers Increased costs of healthcare

Issue 2: Accommodation “If Emma-Litta had been living in a warm house, she wouldn’t have died” Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills Increasing Equity

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand “ school days are lost to asthma each year” “About 300,000 older New Zealand homes are un-insulated, damp and cold” Asthma Foundation Managing Risks

Causes 70% of children in poverty live in rental properties Heating can be too expensive to operate for poorer families Some state housing is out of date and not properly fitted out Landlords are not being held accountable Our Children, Our Choice: Priorities for Policy – Child Poverty Action Group Increasing Equity

Effects Children in the most deprived quintile 2.9 times as likely to be hospitalised with a respiratory condition 3.2 times as likely to be hospitalised for asthma 5.4 times as likely to be hospitalised for childhood bronchiolitis Respiratory Health Impact Report 2013 – Asthma Foundation Managing Risks

Policy Suggestion A ‘warrant of fitness’ programme for rental properties and state houses to guarantee warm and healthy homes for the most vulnerable. Required insulation, smoke alarms, waterproof Expansion of tax incentives and subsidies for landlords who exceed minimum standards Stricter monitoring and enforcements Social Infrastructure

Trade-Offs Increased regulations raise operation costs and increase “red tape” to go through May scare landlords off the market Ultimately cost reflected in rents/subsidies The cost of inspections to be borne by local authorities?

Issue 3: Disengaged Youth This figure is up 15,600 from 10 years ago Increasing Equity Household Labour Force Surveys – 2011

Causes Youth lose motivation and fall out of the system during expected transition phases Our Children, Our Choice: Priorities for Policy – Child Poverty Action Group High School Tertiary Education Productive Life NEET Entry to Workforce Economic Growth

Certain regions have much greater NEET rates Household Labour Force Surveys – 2013 Increasing Equity

Effects on Youth Youth Labour Market Outcomes 2009 – Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment Youth who are NEET for long periods Criminal Offending and Substance Abuse Future Unemployment Homelessness Worse mental and physical health Teenage pregnancy and suicide Managing Risks

Effects on NZ for next 3 Years The Cost Of Youth Disengagement In NZ – Gail Pacheco, AUT, August 2014 Economic Growth

Policy Suggestion – Schools Increase the funding and scope of local work integration programmes in schools such as Gateway Support student learning within the workplace Relevant to students learning and vocational aspirations Implement career support earlier Younger students access to career expos and talks Social Infrastructure

Policy Suggestion – Safety Net Creation of compulsory development programmes for NEET youth Targeted at ‘at risk’ youth Labour for state purposes Fencing Farm Waterways Conservation efforts Ensure youth come out with work experience and life skills Historical model – NZ Conservation Corps Managing Risks

Trade-Offs Funding opportunity cost Costs of benefits later on in life Focus on lower levels of qualification (certificates, diplomas) Not necessarily bad with ever-changing economy Compulsory programmes can be controversial