28167 (2025). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

28167 (2025). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many places, if any, in the He Poutama Rangatahi programme were or are funded in each year from 2017/18 to 2025/26, and how many people were supported by the He Poutama Rangatahi programme in each of those years until 2024/25?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that since the He Poutama Rangatahi (HPR)/Youth Employment Pathways programme transitioned to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in July 2021, the fund has supported a total of 11,310 young people aged 15-24 on employment, education or training pathways and all were funded. Prior to its transition from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to MSD, HPR supported 6,672 young people between 2018 and 2021, however, data for these participants is not available at the financial year level. I refer the member to the attached table.