8 May 2018

Govt calls for public's views on social services

10:38 am on 8 May 2018

The government will consult with social service providers and the public on how best it can use personal data to improve services, it says.

Carmel Sepuloni, Minister of Social Development.

Minister of Social Development Carmel Sepuloni Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

In November the new Labour-led government scrapped National's controversial data-for-funding plan, calling it dangerous and unnecessary.

The plan would have required social service providers to hand over personal client details in exchange for funding.

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said 1500 groups had been asked to take part.

"There will be 28 locations where the consultation will take place. Tomorrow the letters go out that will invite people to participate," she said.

"It will include NGOs, it will include iwi, it will include iwi organisations, it will include service users."

Ms Sepuloni said the consultion would take place from May to August.

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