Cancellation of rural school bus services ‘devastating’
Rural Women New Zealand’s (RWNZ) new president, Sandra Matthews, says the cancellation of rural school bus services could have devastating consequences.
The programme is designed to promote mental health support to primary and intermediate school-aged children and was originally launched in 2018 in the Canterbury region, including Kaikoura, as part of the Government’s plan for wraparound support for children living in earthquake-affected communities.
It’s a cross-agency initiative between Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Education.
The programme sees 12 NGO providers employ workers ranging from psychologists to social workers and counsellors to support school and families when children experience issues that may impact their wellbeing.
In May this year, Health Minister Andrew Little and Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti announced the programme would receive a $90 million boost with the aim of expanding the programme into the Northland, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty, Lakes and West Coast regions.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Little marked the official beginning of services at Kumara School on the West Coast today.
“Mana Ake has been widely recognised as an excellent way to support children with wellbeing challenges. It can help identify small issues sooner, preventing them from becoming big problems,” Little says.
He says one of the strengths of the programme is that it is co-designed by the local community, meaning it is tailored to meet the children’s needs in a way that’s meaningful to them.
“The full Mana Ake programme is set to benefit around 195,000 primary and intermediate aged children – which is something to celebrate,” Little says.
Services are expected to commence in the Northland, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty and Lakes regions from early 2023.
