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A fair chance for all

Breaking the cycle of persistent disadvantage

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The Government has asked the Productivity Commission to undertake an inquiry into economic inclusion and social mobility – A fair chance for all – with a focus on helping those experiencing persistent disadvantage.  


Timeline

  • Scoping
    15 June 2021
  • Public engagement
  • Terms of Reference
    December 2021
  • Interim report
    29 September 2022
  • Public submissions
  • Summary of submissions Feb 2023
  • Final report
    31 May 2023

The inquiry focuses on the overall settings of the “public management system”, taking a whole of system view, rather than assessing policies and services in one or two government sectors.

We published an interim report detailing our preliminary findings and recommendations published in November 2022. The report looked across the whole public management system to understand what is creating the inequities in people’s lives in the first place, why certain groups are more vulnerable to disadvantage in New Zealand, and how the public management system contributes to that.  

Public engagement is a critical part of our inquiry process. We received 68 submissions on the interim report covering a range of perspectives, and a broad spectrum of themes, with submitters united in their passion for addressing persistent disadvantage.  

You can read our Interim Report, and a Summary of submissions. 

Submissions received will inform the final report for this inquiry. We expect to release our final report at the end of May 2023. 


Community engagement

Consultation and collaboration with others is integral to our work. This enables us to benefit from the cross-fertilisation of ideas and insights, ensuring our work makes a difference to lift the productivity of Aotearoa New Zealand to improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders. 

Perspectives on fair chance for all interim report

Webinars with a selection of leaders from different constituencies to gain their thoughts about the Commission’s preliminary findings and recommendations.  

Speakers on webinar held 25 October:

Rob Campbell, Independent Director; Dr Claire Achmad, Chief Executive, Social Service Providers Aotearoa; and Derek Gill, Associate, New Zealand Institute of Economic Research

Watch the panel webinar on 25 October.

Speakers on webinar held 26 October:

Dr Penny Hagen, Director Tangata Tiriti, Auckland Co-Design Lab; Angie Tangaere, Kaitohu Tangata Whenua, Auckland Co-Design Lab; Tunumafono Fa'amoetauloa Avaula Fa'amoe MNZM, Board Member Vaka Tatua, Founder Tōfa Mamao; and Eruera Tarena, Tokona Te Raki / Māori Futures Collective

Watch the panel webinar on 26 October.

Growing up in New Zealand – Family resources and how they influence children’s development in Aotearoa New Zealand

We used the Growing Up in New Zealand study to tease out these relationships and better understand the long term effects. 

Read this report

Watch recorded seminar

Presentation slides (Dr Prickett)

Presentation slides (NZ College of Midwives)

Review of joined-up social services

We asked consulting economist Julie Fry to review the recent progress of joined-up social service initiatives. 

Fry looked at 18 initiatives spanning a broad range of approaches and identified several areas where government can improve its funding and support. In this inquiry, we’ll explore practical ways of tackling these areas.

Read Together alone: A review of joined-up social services. Or a summary here


Key documents