News

Te Pai Ora SSPA has announced that Whakamanawa, its annual national conference for the social service sector, will be held at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau on the 24 and 25 September 2026.

View the latest in sector news, jobs and learning & development opportunities.

The newest iteration of the social investment model finally got underway last November, when the first seven recipients of the social investment fund were announced. The social services sector has long called for changes to how we are funded to deliver services to families and children in need. We are cautiously optimistic about the potential of social investment, but many questions remain about how it will work in practice. These include some significant issues around data sovereignty and how we measure the ‘success’ of services.

For many not-for-profit social service providers in Aotearoa, climate change action can feel like an issue best left to councils or environment groups. Yet climate change is not only about rising seas or carbon emissions — it is a profound social justice issue that directly shapes the wellbeing of our communities. For organisations already working at the frontline of housing, health, family support, or youth services, climate disruption intensifies the challenges you face.

Storytelling is a transformational healing tool that all social service providers can use in their mahi to empower the teller, inspire hope in listeners, and create social change. This was the wero laid down by author, activist and storyteller Qiane Matata-Sipu to attendees at Whakamanawa 2025.

The latest issue of Te Pai Ora SSPA's flagship, biannual magazine is out now. In this Whakamanawa special issue we consider the risks and opportunities of the social investment approach to funding, learn about the healing power of kōrero from Qiane Matata-Sipu, hear messages to our sector from our political leaders and discuss progress on Te Pai Ora SSPA’s co-governance journey.

The Te Pai Ora SSPA annual report for 2024/2025 is now available. You can read about all the work our team has done to support our amazing members over this time.

Today we reflect on the bravery, determination and strength of survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care in Aotearoa New Zealand. We acknowledge the enormous courage of those who relived their stories in the hope that it would change the system of care for future generations of tamariki.

Te Pai Ora SSPA has told the People's Select Committee that Aotearoa needs to build a pay equity system that is fair, robust and workable. Te Pai Ora SSPA Pay Equity Co-ordinator Brenda Pilott said: "We’re not asking to go back. We’re asking to go forward — with a reset that’s principled, practical, and informed by lived experience.”

There are nice little nuggets scattered throughout the Budget, “but let’s be clear they are small scale and are not going to flip the dial to relieve the suffering faced by children and whānau today. This is not the bold investment required to build the foundation for a thriving future.” - Belinda Himiona, Te Pai Ora SSPA Chief Executive

On Thursday 15 May, the Office of the Auditor-General released the findings of its inquiry into Oranga Tamariki’s procurement and contract management process circa 2023-2025.

Te Pai Ora SSPA says an inquiry released today by the Auditor General into Oranga Tamariki shows a government department under enormous stress, “that clearly lost sight of how its decisions could impact children and whānau.”

Te Pai Ora SSPA and the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services welcome today’s announcement from Social Investment Minister, Hon Nicola Willis of a new $190 million Social Investment Fund.

Te Pai Ora SSPA, the national organisation representing community-based social service providers, is raising serious concerns about sweeping changes to the Equal Pay Act announced by the Government today.

Te Pai Ora SSPA's Annual Report is now online

Nau mai haere mai Carmen Batchelor, Cindy Kawana, and Andrea McLeod to our Te Pai Ora SSPA National Executive!

Te Pai Ora SSPA is welcoming the Auditor General’s inquiry into Oranga Tamariki’s procurement and contract management processes, announced today.

We are so excited for our members and stakeholders to be receiving issue 12 of Kia Mauri Ora: Social Service Excellence in Aotearoa!