AREAS OF FOCUS

We know there is no silver bullet to addressing the issues and needs that exist in the region, but we strongly believe that coordinated support and collaboration between central government, local government and local organisations and providers, like Toi Foundation and its partners is the best way to create the sustainable, long-term, intergenerational change we need and want in Taranaki.

Housing needs are rising.

Whilst home ownership in Taranaki is one of the highest across Aotearoa, the number of households on the Housing Register in Taranaki is rising – from 32 in March 2015 to 615 in March 2021.

South Taranaki continues to have the lowest home ownership rate in the region and it has fallen heavily

declining) home ownership rates.

Whilst Taranaki’s housing affordability remains better than the national average, the ratio of incomes to house prices is has been steadily rising.

Housing quality data shows Taranaki houses are more likely to be damp and mouldy, compared to the national average. 18% of Taranaki houses were sometimes or always mouldy. Dampness sits at 21%.

Higher rate of people looking after children in Taranaki.

Child support is an area for further investigation, with higher levels of unpaid childcare work potentially signalling barriers in this area.

of unpaid work to look after a child not in their own household and a child in their household, respectively. If barriers to childcare are understood, further support could be examined for families in Taranaki, enabling families to access childcare, and free up time for family members to undertake other pursuits in employment, or elsewhere in the community.

South Taranaki requires a greater focus across the board, due to a range of concerning outcomes.

An integrated approach to supporting those in South Taranaki will be important to addressing interdependent issues.

Improved health outcomes are a key area to address to deliver better foundations.

Mental health presentation is higher in the region than the national average.

Infometrics estimates show 5.3% of the local population accessed mental health support. This proportion was above the 4.8% rate recorded nationally, with the region showing the 6th highest rate of mental health need.

Highest rate of avoidable hospitalisations. Taranaki has the highest rate of ambulatory sensitive

! =*; 7 < > =*; are avoidable hospitalisations that could have been prevented with earlier intervention, often through primary care. 20% of the region’s population visited the ED, compared to 15% nationally and this number is rising. Health Survey analysis also shows that there is a higher level of unmet need for primary healthcare in our region. 37% of the population in Taranaki had an unmet need, compared to 31% nationally.

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Continued support is required to assist those in Taranaki into employment, given persistent unemployment and room to improve education outcomes.

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In an increasingly digital society, internet connectivity is rapidly becoming a necessity for employment, education, social and cultural connection.

Improved connectivity will reduce access challenges around digital exclusion and educational, employment, and social opportunities, and allow our region to remain linked into processes and change.

Support needed to limit waste output and reduce emmissions.

New Plymouth District recorded the highest waste diversion rate, with around 46% of generated waste being recycled. South Taranaki reported 34% of waste was diverted from

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Statistics NZ regional greenhouse gas emissions estimates show Taranaki was the second most emissions intensive region in 2019. Although energy generation is part of Taranaki’s carbon story, data shows that primary industries and manufacturing contributed 72% of the region’s carbon emissions in 2019.